San Antoino Spurs torch Timberwolves 139-109 in Game 6, advance to Western Conference Finals behind Stephon Castle’s 32-point masterpiece [VIDEO]

Stephon Castle became the youngest player in NBA playoff history to record 30 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 threes in a game

The San Antonio Spurs came into Minneapolis on May 15 with a 3-2 series lead and a chance to close out the Minnesota Timberwolves. They left with a 139-109 victory and a ticket to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2017.

Stephon Castle, the 21-year-old second year pro, delivered the best game of his young career. He finished with 32 points, along with 11 rebounds and 6 assists in just under 30 minutes. He made his first five three-point attempts and became the youngest player in NBA playoff history to record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 three-pointers in a single game.

San Antonio led wire-to-wire, never trailed, and pushed their lead to as many as 34 points. The victory wrapped up the series 4-2. This set up a Western Conference Finals matchup against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, which begins tonight (May 18.)

San Antonio’s Backcourt Dominated From the Opening Tip

De’Aaron Fox added 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-3 from three-point range, along with 9 assists and 4 rebounds in just 24 minutes. Rookie Dylan Harper contributed 15 points off the bench on 6-of-8 shooting. The Spurs’ backcourt trio of Castle, Fox, and Harper combined for 68 points while shooting efficiently from all three levels.

Julian Champagnie chipped in 18 points, including four three-pointers. Devin Vassell added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Luke Kornet provided 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a reserve role. Every Spurs player who touched the floor seemed to contribute to the offensive onslaught.

San Antonio shot 49-of-88 from the field (55.7 percent) and set a franchise postseason record with 18 made three-pointers on 38 attempts (47.4 percent). They also dominated the glass, outrebounding Minnesota 60-29, and recorded 13 blocks as a team.

Wemby’s Impact and How it Disrupted the Timberwolves

Victor Wembanyama finished with 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks in just over 27 minutes. His scoring output was modest by his standards. However, it was his defensive impact that was unmistakable. Minnesota’s drivers consistently veered away from the rim when he was in the paint, and his ability to switch onto perimeter players disrupted the Timberwolves’ offensive sets.

Wembanyama’s 3 blocks only tell part of the story. He altered at least twice that many shots. As a result, he forced misses that led to transition opportunities for San Antonio’s guards. The Spurs outscored Minnesota by 97 points across the entire six-game series. This is a margin that reflects their two-way dominance.

The Spurs’ switch-heavy defense gave the Timberwolves problems all night. Minnesota shot just 12-of-34 from three-point range and struggled to generate clean looks against San Antonio’s length and versatility.

Ant-Man Carried Minnesota, But Got Little Help

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 24 points on 9-of-26 shooting. He added 3 steals and played with his trademark energy, but his efficiency suffered against San Antonio’s defensive attention. Terrence Shannon Jr. provided 21 points off the bench, and Naz Reid added 18 points. Beyond those three, the Timberwolves got almost nothing.

Julius Randle had a nightmare outing. As a result, he managed to score just 3 points on 1-of-8 shooting in approximately 24 minutes. Rudy Gobert was nearly invisible, posting minimal production in limited minutes as San Antonio’s spacing pulled him away from the rim. The Timberwolves’ supporting cast, which had carried them through stretches of the series, ran out of gas in Game 6.

Coach Chris Finch acknowledged after the game that his team appeared to have run out of resources as the series progressed. The Timberwolves had pushed the Spurs to 2-2 after four games, including a Game 4 win in Minneapolis, but San Antonio’s depth and execution proved too much in Games 5 and 6.

Spurs Avoided Double-Digit Deficits All Series

The Spurs’ consistency was remarkable. Across six games, they never faced a double-digit deficit. Their largest margin of victory was 38 points in Game 2. Their smallest win was 7 points in Game 3. Even in their two losses, they remained competitive until the final minutes.

Game 2 was Minnesota’s largest postseason loss in franchise history at the time — 133-95. Game 5 was another blowout, 126-97. Game 6 was the most emphatic of all, a 30-point demolition on the Timberwolves’ home floor to close out the series.

The Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the first round before dispatching Minnesota in six. Now they face the defending champion Thunder, who swept the both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers to reach the West Finals.

San Antonio Reaches Their First Conference Finals in Nearly a Decade

The Spurs’ return to the West Finals marks a significant milestone for a franchise that missed the playoffs entirely from 2020 to 2024. In 2021 and 2022, the Spurs managed to make it to the NBA Play-In Tournament. San Antonio has rebuilt around Victor Wembanyama, added veteran pieces like Fox, and developed young talent like Castle into a playoff difference-maker.

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals is scheduled tonight, May 18, 2026. The Thunder will have home-court advantage, but the Spurs have already proven they can win on the road, taking Games 3 and 5 in Minnesota and closing out the series in Minneapolis. Plus, they’ve defeated the Thunder three times this season, including the NBA Cup semi-final game in Las Vegas

For Castle, the moment is just beginning. For Wembanyama, the spotlight grows brighter. And for the Spurs, the question is no longer whether they belong. The question is how far they can go.

Conclusion

The San Antonio Spurs overwhelmingly defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 139-109 in Game 6 to win the series 4-2. Now, they have advanced to the Western Conference Finals. Stephon Castle delivered a historic performance, becoming the youngest player ever to hit those marks in a playoff game. In addition, he proved this young team is a team of balance.

Victor Wembanyama added 19 points and 3 blocks. De’Aaron Fox had 21 and 9. The Spurs led wire-to-wire, outrebounded Minnesota by 31, and set a franchise record for three-pointers in a postseason game. The Timberwolves had no answer. All season long, especially in the postseason, pundits have questioned whether or not the Spurs are ready.

Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder is tonight. The Spurs are back where they haven’t been since 2017. Facing the defending champions, after having defeated a veteran team, the Spurs face their first true test in mere hours.