Spurs reach Western Conference finals; Pistons force Game 7

The San Antonio Spurs advanced to the NBA Western Conference Finals with a dominant 139-109 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Detroit Pistons staved off elimination with a 115-94 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Spurs entered Friday’s Game 6 in Minnesota holding a 3-2 series lead and controlled the game from start to finish, setting up a highly anticipated matchup against the top-seeded and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

San Antonio reached the conference finals for the first time since 2017, revitalizing a franchise that had missed the playoffs in recent years. Despite the Thunder’s championship pedigree, the Spurs posted a 4-1 record against Oklahoma City during the regular season.

Stephon Castle led the wire-to-wire win with 32 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 11 of 16 from the field. De’Aaron Fox added 21 points, and Victor Wembanyama contributed 19 points and 9 rebounds.

The victory served as vindication for French star Wembanyama, who was ejected from Game 4 for elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid in the throat. The Timberwolves targeted him physically throughout the remainder of the series.

“I knew, obviously, what they were going to do … I felt like if I gave in to the physicality and the dirtiness, that would have helped them,” Wembanyama said.

“I knew I couldn’t go over the edge again. So, you know, I had to beat them by playing basketball.”

The Spurs opened the game with a strong first quarter, dominating the paint behind Castle’s aggressive play.

Minnesota fought back with Anthony Edwards leading a spirited response, but San Antonio maintained a 74-61 halftime lead.

The Spurs expanded their advantage in the third quarter by double-teaming Edwards, neutralizing Minnesota’s primary offensive threat.

By the end of the third quarter, San Antonio held an insurmountable 26-point lead, shooting 56 percent from the field compared to Minnesota’s 43 percent.

With eight minutes remaining, a 25-point deficit on the scoreboard and both teams preparing to empty their benches, Edwards walked over to congratulate the Spurs on their resounding win.

“The words ‘Conference Finals’ just seem surreal right now,” said Wembanyama, 22. “It’s something I heard my whole life, and now we’re in it, it’s kind of unreal.”

Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham scored 21 points as Detroit avoided elimination with a 115-94 victory over Cleveland in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The top-seeded Pistons, trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series before Friday’s must-win game in Cleveland, built a double-digit lead early and never relented.

Cleveland, unbeaten at home this postseason, will now face a decisive Game 7 on Sunday in Detroit to advance.

Cunningham’s 21 points included five three-pointers, while Detroit center Jalen Duren delivered a dominant defensive performance with 11 rebounds, three blocks and a steal.

Cunningham was one of six Pistons players in double figures, with Paul Reed scoring 17 points off the bench, and Duren and Daniss Jenkins adding 15 each.

“We’re just playing our brand of basketball, coming out competing, trying to execute our system to the best of our ability, and we’re together,” Cunningham said afterward.

“We stick together through everything, so it’s a great win for us.”

James Harden led Cleveland with 23 points, while Donovan Mitchell was held to 18.

The Cavs started strong, opening a six-point lead in the first quarter before the Pistons responded to seize control.

A devastating 22-4 run gave Detroit a 39-27 lead in the second quarter. Cleveland cut the deficit to 54-51 at halftime, but the Pistons dominated the third quarter 30-19.

That left Detroit leading by 14 points entering the fourth, and the Pistons maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way to close out the victory.