By Greg Luca, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2026-05-16 01:04:44
周五，2026年5月15日，在明尼阿波利斯标靶中心举行的西部半决赛第六场上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫德阿伦·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) (4) 在前锋维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) (1) 掩护后，绕过明尼苏达森林狼队后卫阿约·多孙穆 (Ayo Dosunmu) (13)。
圣安东尼奥马刺队自2017年以来首次重返西部决赛，即将与俄克拉荷马城雷霆队展开一场期待已久的巅峰对决。
这支年轻的马刺阵容首次面临客场终结系列赛的机会，但他们没有表现出任何紧张迹象。周五在明尼阿波利斯标靶中心，他们以139-109大胜森林狼队，以总比分4-2结束了这轮系列赛。由于圣安东尼奥的领先优势一度扩大到37分，主教练米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 在第四节初便早早换下了主力。
斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle) 砍下32分，领衔手感火热的马刺队，而德阿伦·福克斯贡献了21分。
西部决赛的第一场比赛定于周一晚上7:30在俄克拉荷马城开打。
以下是第六场这场一边倒大胜的实时报道：
关于与俄克拉荷马城的对决，马刺队如是说
圣安东尼奥对阵俄克拉荷马城是球迷们一整年都在渴求的西部决赛对决，但马刺球星文班亚马现在还不准备深入探讨细节。
“现在，我甚至都没去想那件事，”文班亚马在第六场终结明尼苏达后说道。“我只想好好恢复。我只想快点结束这场新闻发布会。我们接下来的几天会再研究。”
马刺中锋文班亚马谈到面对俄克拉荷马城时表示：“我们当然有信心，但我们需要保持正确的信心水平。现在，我甚至都没去想那件事。我只想好好恢复。我只想快点结束这场新闻发布会。” pic.twitter.com/J6Q14XhW2L
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月16日
圣安东尼奥在常规赛对阵俄克拉荷马城的战绩为4胜1负，但福克斯知道季后赛的气氛会截然不同。卫冕冠军雷霆队在季后赛中尚未输掉任何一场比赛，前两轮均横扫晋级。
“他们在季后赛还没输过球，所以我们要试着阻断他们的势头，”福克斯说道。“我们知道他们是谁，也知道他们的打法。”
马刺后卫福克斯谈到准备在西部决赛对阵俄克拉荷马城时表示：“他们在季后赛还没输过球，所以我们要试着阻断他们的势头。我们知道他们是谁，也知道他们的打法。” pic.twitter.com/8bAGVUcCRc
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月16日
凯尔登·约翰逊为圣安东尼奥球迷提供建议
随着圣安东尼奥各地的支持者走上街头进行传统的赛后鸣笛庆祝，前锋凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson) 提出了几条建议。
“我希望今晚每个人都能平安，”约翰逊说道。“玩得开心，鸣笛庆祝，但我希望大家都能保持安全。”
马刺前锋凯尔登·约翰逊谈到圣安东尼奥球迷庆祝球队晋级西部决赛时表示：“我希望今晚每个人都能平安。玩得开心，鸣笛庆祝，但我希望大家都能保持安全。” pic.twitter.com/6HJohG9yHM
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月16日
卡斯尔将三分球能力的提升归功于简单的训练过程
在投进职业生涯新高的5记三分球并砍下全场最高的32分后，马刺后卫卡斯尔表示，简单的重复训练是他成为一名更高效射手的原因。
对手有时会选择放空卡斯尔，他在职业生涯常规赛期间的三分命中率仅为30.5%。但在季后赛中，他让对手付出了代价，前两轮的三分命中率高达44%。
“就是苦练。大量的重复练习。不是随意的练习，而是带有防守干扰的比赛强度练习。就是泡在球馆里，”卡斯尔说道。“我认为对我来说最重要的一点是保持脚步动作的一致性，让每一次投篮的感觉都一样。”
马刺后卫卡斯尔谈到他在第六场的火热开局以及三分球的进步时表示：“就是苦练。大量的重复练习。就是泡在球馆里。……我认为对我来说最重要的一点是保持脚步动作的一致性，让每一次投篮的感觉都一样。” pic.twitter.com/hdH0gbRbAT
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月16日
马刺主教练米奇·约翰逊表示，卡斯尔在第六场的表现“非常出色”，并赞扬他“拥有正确的态度，并以正确的方式打球”。
“我们队中有几个球员非常有天赋，当他们进入状态时，有时会接管比赛，”约翰逊说道。“天赋尽显，他们就能享受比赛的乐趣。”
马刺主教练米奇·约翰逊谈到卡斯尔在第六场的表现时表示：“他表现得非常出色。……我们队中有几个球员非常有天赋，当他们进入状态时，有时会接管比赛。天赋尽显，他们就能享受比赛的乐趣。” pic.twitter.com/aTwlQ0tKFQ
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月16日
尽管脚踝受伤，福克斯仍稳住马刺阵脚
马刺后卫福克斯在第二节末跳起争抢篮板后一瘸一拐地走下场，导致他原本酸痛的右脚踝伤势加重，此前他曾因此出现在周一第五场的伤病名单中。但他周五下半场首发出战，并继续发挥定海神针的作用，全场10投8中砍下21分，并送出9次助攻。
“他是联盟中最强硬的球员之一。他从不缺席任何比赛，”马刺主教练米奇·约翰逊说道。“他整晚都在通过多次表现让我们稳定下来，无论这些表现是否体现在技术统计上。特别是在第一节和第三节，他是攻防两端的催化剂。他在这方面得到的赞誉还不够。”
同样首发出战的后场搭档卡斯尔称赞福克斯打得很有节奏，总能到达他擅长的投篮点。
“队里能有这样一位核心后卫，一位像他这样能随时到达场上任何位置的老将后卫，能在他身边打球真的很酷，”卡斯尔说道。
马刺后卫卡斯尔谈到福克斯时表示：“他投了他想投的球，随时能到达他想去的位置。队里能有这样一位核心后卫，一位像他这样能随时到达场上任何位置的老将后卫，能在他身边打球真的很酷。” pic.twitter.com/hncGaB97rh
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月16日
作为马刺轮换阵容中唯一拥有季后赛经验的球员，福克斯表示，他对圣安东尼奥在客场终结战中的表现感到满意。
“我们开局的方式、比赛开始的方式以及下半场开始的方式，都让我们处于非常有利的赢球位置，”福克斯说道。“而我们成功执行了计划。”
马刺后卫福克斯在第六场战胜并终结明尼苏达后表示：“我们开局的方式、比赛开始的方式以及下半场开始的方式，都让我们处于非常有利的赢球位置。而我们成功执行了计划。” pic.twitter.com/zGOZnVuGYs
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月16日
[球星与角色球员各司其职](#stars-role-players-got the-job-done-041135)
森林狼队主教练克里斯·芬奇 (Chris Finch) 已经俯首称臣。
由文班、福克斯和卡斯尔组成的马刺“三巨头”完成了任务。
辅助阵容，特别是尚帕尼 (Champagnie)、哈珀 (Harper) 和瓦塞尔 (Vassell)，表现也非常出色。
下一站，俄克拉荷马城。
——汤姆·奥斯本 (Tom Orsborn)
马刺稳操胜券，双方换下替补
随着马刺队领先35分，主教练米奇·约翰逊在第四节初便早早清空了板凳席，让常规轮换球员休息，为西部决赛之旅储备体能。
森林狼球星安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards) 并没有试图掩饰颓势，在比赛还剩约八分钟的一次暂停期间，他走向马刺队替补席，提前开始了赛后握手致意。
马刺掌控局势，对阵雷霆在即
领先30分的马刺队距离以4-2结束西部半决赛仅剩9分50秒。
请记住：这意味着他们距离终极目标已经走完了一半的路程。
——汤姆·奥斯本 (Tom Orsborn)
卡斯尔在三分线外迎来职业生涯之夜
斯蒂芬·卡斯尔投中的5记三分球创下了他NBA职业生涯单场新高。
在第三节还剩3:59时，他12投9中，其中三分球6投5中，已经砍下28分。
在卡斯尔的带领下，马刺队的三分命中率高达52%（25投13中）。德阿伦·福克斯三分球3投3中。
——汤姆·奥斯本 (Tom Orsborn)
即便文班亚马下场，圣安东尼奥依然掌控局势
文班下场休息时，马刺领先18分。安东尼·爱德华兹仍留在场上。
几分钟后，马刺领先了28分。这就是终结系列赛的方式。
——迈克·芬格 (Mike Finger)
马刺找回进攻节奏扩大领先优势
马刺队在下半场开局便投进5记三分球，进攻端全面开花，在第三节将对阵森林狼队的领先优势扩大到28分。
圣安东尼奥三分球25投13中（命中率52%），其中斯蒂芬·卡斯尔表现抢眼，三分球6投5中，这是他NBA职业生涯首次单场投进5记三分。
麦克丹尼尔斯再次陷入犯规麻烦
明尼苏达本场比赛的关键之一是让防守悍将杰登·麦克丹尼尔斯 (Jaden McDaniels) 留在场上并远离犯规麻烦。
他在第三节开始不到一分半钟时，在防守斯蒂芬·卡斯尔突破时领到了个人第四次犯规。
麦克丹尼尔斯在系列赛至今的六场比赛中，每场都领到了至少四次犯规。
麦克丹尼尔斯现在被迫下场休息，这削弱了明尼苏达防守的威慑力。
——杰夫·麦克唐纳 (Jeff McDonald)
伤病惊魂后，福克斯下半场首发出战
在第二节末段一瘸一拐下场后，德阿伦·福克斯参加了圣安东尼奥下半场开球前的热身，并出现在第三节的首发阵容中。
福克斯在半场结束前跳起争抢篮板后，似乎右脚踝感到不适。
他曾因右脚踝酸痛被列为第五场比赛的出战成疑状态，但最终首发出场，在34分钟内贡献了18分和5次助攻。
——格雷格·卢卡 (Greg Luca)
森林狼在半场结束前勉强咬住比分
森林狼队还剩多少斗志？嗯，还有一些。
安东尼·爱德华兹和T.J. 尚农 (T.J. Shannon) 在第二节后半段联手，帮助明尼苏达将29分的落后分差在半场结束时缩小至74-61。
对马刺来说，这一节的结束很艰难，卡斯尔在比赛还剩1.5秒时在中场附近对爱德华兹犯规。爱德华兹罚中了第一球，第二球失手。凯尔登·约翰逊在爱德华兹罚丢后没能卡住纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid)，导致里德在终场哨响前补篮得分。
客场半场领先13分固然不错，但领先16分本会更好。
——杰夫·麦克唐纳 (Jeff McDonald)
福克斯离场，森林狼缩小分差
圣安东尼奥后卫德阿伦·福克斯在上半场末段一瘸一拐地走下场，提前返回更衣室。与此同时，马刺队正努力抵挡森林狼队的反扑。圣安东尼奥在第二节初一度领先多达29分，但到半场结束时，明尼苏达仅以61-74落后。
斯蒂芬·卡斯尔得到马刺最高的19分，维克托·文班亚马和福克斯各得13分。明尼苏达方面，安东尼·爱德华兹得到19分，纳兹·里德得到18分。
福克斯在第二节末跳起争抢篮板后，似乎在保护他的右脚踝。他曾因右脚踝酸痛在第五场被列为出战成疑，但最终首发并上场34分钟，得到18分5助攻。
马刺第二节初防守强悍
由肖恩·斯威尼 (Sean Sweeney) 设计、维克托·文班亚马领衔的马刺防守，在第二节开局展现出了最强形态。
明尼苏达在该节开局前12投全失，直到半场还剩7:03时，才由泰伦斯·尚农 (Terrence Shannon) 面对文班亚马打成2+1，打破了得分荒，并终结了圣安东尼奥在第二节开局打出的20-0高潮。
凭借这波防守压制，马刺队一度取得了多达29分的领先优势。
在赛季生死存亡关头，看看森林狼队还能拿出什么样的斗志将很有趣。
——杰夫·麦克唐纳 (Jeff McDonald)
马刺进攻火力全开，第二节领先优势扩大
谁在为马刺队打控卫并不重要。斯蒂芬·卡斯尔、德阿伦·福克斯和迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 都在一次又一次地随心所欲冲击篮筐。他们接连完成上篮和扣篮，无论鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert) 是否在场，这种情况都在发生。
——迈克·芬格 (Mike Finger)
卡斯尔在三分线外手感火热
斯蒂芬·卡斯尔三分球3投3中的开局并不令人意外。在常规赛场均3.6次尝试、命中率为33.2%后，他在季后赛场均4.3次尝试，命中率已接近40%。现在，球队如果放空他，绝对会付出代价。
这位2024-25赛季年度最佳新秀目前7投6中，其中三分球3投3中，已得到17分，这让他有望超越他在第一轮对阵波特兰第三场时创下的33分的季后赛最高得分。
——汤姆·奥斯本 (Tom Orsborn)
纳兹·里德开场为森林狼咬住比分
马刺队在开场4分19秒内就取得了两位数的领先。纳兹·里德凭借一些高难度的进球为明尼苏达留在比赛中。
他为森林狼队连得8分，包括一个顶着防守的压哨三分，以及一个在迪伦·哈珀严防死守下的底角三分。
第一节还剩4:28时，马刺以25-20领先。
——杰夫·麦克唐纳 (Jeff McDonald)
马刺在潜在终结战前保持轻松氛围
凯尔登·约翰逊在第六场比赛前带来了活力，在明尼阿波利斯这场可能终结系列赛的胜利之前，他领衔了马刺队的赛前通道口号。
卡斯尔开场便为马刺建功
斯蒂芬·卡斯尔在NBA季后赛首秀之旅中继续展现出大心脏，在第六场开场前六分钟便贡献了11分、3个篮板和2次助攻。
这位21岁的球员正处于职业生涯第二个赛季，周五赛前，他在季后赛场均贡献18.7分、6.1次助攻和4.3个篮板，得分比常规赛平均水平高出2分。
森林狼球迷给文班送上嘘声
周五晚上，维克托·文班亚马在回归标靶中心第一次触球时，明尼苏达的忠实拥趸便报以漫天嘘声。此前在第四场比赛中，他因肘击纳兹·里德的颈部和下颚区域被驱逐出场。
不出所料，朱利叶斯·兰德尔 (Julius Randle) 在开场后就与文班展开了一些拉扯和纠缠，但文班不以为意，在开赛几分钟后便通过一次低位扣篮拿下了他的首个进球。
——汤姆·奥斯本 (Tom Orsborn)
马刺第六场取胜关键
《圣安东尼奥快报》跟队记者杰夫·麦克唐纳 (Jeff McDonald) 写道，在圣安东尼奥寻求周五晚上终结明尼苏达之际，在充满敌意的客场观众面前保持冷静将是最重要的取胜关键之一。
马刺队还需要锁死森林狼球星安东尼·爱德华兹，同时继续攻击防守悍将杰登·麦克丹尼尔斯，力争让他陷入犯规麻烦。
马刺球星在第六场前惊艳亮相
圣安东尼奥马刺队不仅是来标靶中心参加周五晚上这场“赢球或回家”的第六场对决，他们更是带着气场而来的。
在明尼阿波利斯晚上8:30开球前的几个小时，马刺球员们将球馆通道变成了季后赛的时尚T台，造型涵盖了牛仔风、大号剪裁西装以及层搭街头服饰。
约翰逊对马刺进入终结战局面充满信心
这支年轻的马刺阵容将在周五首次踏入客场终结战的赛场，但主教练米奇·约翰逊表示，球队应该能从首轮对阵波特兰时唯一一次终结系列赛取胜的经验中获益。
马刺队在那轮系列赛的最后三场比赛中均以两位数优势获胜，在波特兰拿下了第三场和第四场，随后在圣安东尼奥进行的第五场比赛中以114-95取胜，从而终结了系列赛。
马刺主教练米奇·约翰逊谈到进入终结战时表示：“关于我们球队的经验以及匮乏经验的讨论有很多，但通过我们已经打过的10场比赛以及本赛季的历程，感觉这支球队今年已经积累了大量的经验。” pic.twitter.com/ohtNwlpRiz
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月16日
马刺前往明尼苏达，意在终结系列赛
在第五场大胜中砍下27分17个篮板后，维克托·文班亚马将率领马刺队前往客场，准备在周五晚上8:30于明尼阿波利斯标靶中心进行的潜在终结战中对阵森林狼队。
圣安东尼奥目前在系列赛中以3-2领先，正处于自2017年以来首次锁定分区决赛席位的边缘。
马刺队预计会受到充满敌意的接待，文班亚马很可能会招致最多的嘘声，因为他在上一次在标靶中心的比赛中因肘击纳兹·里德而被驱逐。
如何通过电视观看比赛
马刺队定于周五晚上8:30在明尼阿波利斯标靶中心开球，由 Amazon Prime Video 进行直播。比赛还将在电台 AM 1200 播出，或在西班牙语频道 AM 1350 和 FM 107.5 播出。
由生成式 AI 翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：Spurs vs. Timberwolves, Game 6: OKC up next after closeout win
Spurs vs. Timberwolves, Game 6: OKC up next after closeout win
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) gets around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) after Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) sets the pick during the first half of Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center in Minneapolis, Friday, May 15, 2026.
The San Antonio Spurs are going back to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2017, setting up a long-awaited clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
A young Spurs roster facing a road closeout game for the first time showed no signs of jitters, cruising to a 139-109 win over the Timberwolves on Friday at the Target Center in Minneapolis to finish the series in six games. With San Antonio’s lead stretching as large as 37 points, coach Mitch Johnson emptied the bench early in the fourth quarter.
Stephon Castle led the hot-shooting Spurs with 32 points, while De’Aaron Fox dropped 21.
Game 1 of the Western Conference finals is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday in Oklahoma City.
Updates from a one-sided rout in Game 6:
What the Spurs had to say about their matchup with Oklahoma City
San Antonio versus Oklahoma City is the conference finals matchup fans have been clamoring for all year, but Spurs star Victor Wembanyama isn’t ready to dive into the particulars just yet.
“Right now, I’m not even thinking about it,” Wembanyama said after closing out Minnesota in Game 6. “I’m just thinking about recovering. I’m thinking about getting this press conference over with. We’re going to see about it in the next couple days.”
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, on facing Oklahoma City: “Of course we’re confident, but we need to keep the right confidence level. Right now, I’m not even thinking about it. I’m just thinking about recovering. I’m thinking about getting this press conference over with.” pic.twitter.com/J6Q14XhW2L
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 16, 2026
San Antonio went 4-1 versus Oklahoma City during the regular season, but De’Aaron Fox knows the playoff atmosphere will be different. The defending champion Thunder are yet to drop a postseason game, sweeping through the first two rounds.
“They haven’t lost a game in the playoffs, so just trying to stop their momentum,” Fox said. “We know who they are, we know what they do.”
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox on preparing to play Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals: “They haven’t lost a game in the playoffs, so just trying to stop their momentum. We know who they are, we know what they do.” pic.twitter.com/8bAGVUcCRc
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 16, 2026
Keldon Johnson offers words of advice for San Antonio fans
As supporters across San Antonio took to the streets for the traditional postgame honking celebration, forward Keldon Johnson had just a couple words of advice.
“I hope everybody is safe tonight,” Johnson said. “Have fun, honk, but I hope everyone does stay safe.”
Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, on San Antonio fans celebrating the team advancing to the Western Conference finals: “I hope everybody is safe tonight. Have fun, honk, but I hope everyone does stay safe.” pic.twitter.com/6HJohG9yHM
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 16, 2026
Castle credits simple process for improved 3-point shooting
After knocking down a career-best five 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 32 points, Spurs guard Stephon Castle said simple repetition was to credit for him becoming a more effective shooter.
Opponents sometimes choose to play off Castle, who is a 30.5% 3-point shooter for his career during the regular season. But he’s made them pay during the playoffs, knocking down 44% from beyond the arc across the first two rounds.
“It’s just work. A lot of reps. Not live reps, but game speed reps, with a hand. Just staying in the gym,” Castle said. “I think the biggest thing for me is staying consistent with my footwork, making every shot feel the same.”
Spurs guard Stephon Castle on his hot start in Game 6 and improving 3-point shooting: “It’s just work. A lot of reps. Just staying in the gym. … I think the biggest thing for me is staying consistent with my footwork, making every shot feel the same.” pic.twitter.com/hdH0gbRbAT
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 16, 2026
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Castle was “pretty darn good” in Game 6, crediting him for “having the right approach and playing the right way.”
“We have a few guys on our team that are just that talented that when they do that, they take over, at times,” Johnson said. “The talent pops and they get to just have fun.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on Stephon Castle’s Game 6 performance: “He was pretty damn good. … We have a few guys on our team that are just that talented that when they do that, they take over, at times. The talent pops and they get to just have fun.” pic.twitter.com/aTwlQ0tKFQ
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 16, 2026
Fox stabilizes Spurs despite bum ankle
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox limped off the floor after jumping for a rebound late in the second quarter, aggravating a sore right ankle that landed him on the injury report for Monday’s Game 5. But he returned to start Friday’s second half and continued to be a stabilizing force, scoring 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting with nine assists.
“He’s one of the toughest guys in the league. He doesn’t miss any games,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “He made multiple plays all night long, whether they showed in the box score or not, that settled us. He was the catalyst on both ends in the first and third quarter specifically. He doesn’t get enough credit for that.”
Fellow backcourt starter Stephon Castle credited Fox for playing under control and getting to his spots on the floor.
“To have a lead guard, a veteran guard like that on our team that can get to any spot on the court whenever he wants, it’s definitely cool to be alongside him,” Castle said.
Spurs guard Stephon Castle on De’Aaron Fox: “He took the shots that he wanted to, got to his spots when he wanted to. To have a lead guard, a veteran guard like that on our team that can get to any spot on the court whenever he wants is definitely cool to be alongside him.” pic.twitter.com/hncGaB97rh
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 16, 2026
The only player in the Spurs rotation with previous playoff experience, Fox said he was happy with San Antonio’s ability to deliver in a road closeout opportunity.
“The way we came out, the way that we started the game, and the way that we started the second half put us in a great position to win,” Fox said. “And we were able to execute that.”
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox following a Game 6 win to close out Minnesota: “The way we came out, the way that we started the game, and the way that we started the second half put us in a great position to win. And we were able to execute that.” pic.twitter.com/zGOZnVuGYs
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 16, 2026
Stars, role players got the job done
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has conceded defeat.
The Spurs’ Big 3 of Wemby, Fox and Castle got the job done.
The supporting cast, particularly Champagnie, Harper and Vassell, were pretty damn good too.
On to OKC.
-Tom Orsborn
Benches empty as Spurs have Game 6 well in hand
With the Spurs leading by 35 points, coach Mitch Johnson emptied the bench early in the fourth quarter, allowing the usual rotation to rest for a trip to the Western Conference finals.
Minnesota star Anthony Edwards didn’t try to sugarcoat the situation, walking over to the Spurs bench to get a head start on the postgame handshake during a timeout with about eight minutes to play.
Spurs in control with OKC clash looming
The Spurs, leading by 30, are 9 minutes and 50 seconds away from wrapping up the Western Conference semifinals in six games.
Let this sink in: That would put them halfway to their ultimate goal.
-Tom Orsborn
Castle enjoying career night from deep
Stephon Castle’s five made 3s are a career high for any game of his NBA career.
He’s got 28 points on 9 of 12 from the field and 5 of 6 from distance with 3:59 left in the third quarter.
With Castle leading the way, the Spurs are shooting 52% from beyond the arc (13 of 25). De’Aaron Fox is 3 for 3 from downtown.
Tom Orsborn
San Antonio takes control even with Wembanyama sitting
Wemby went to the bench with the Spurs up 18. Ant Edwards stayed on the floor.
A couple of minutes later, the Spurs are up 28. That’s how you close out a series.
-Mike Finger
Spurs find offensive rhythm to stretch lead
The Spurs have knocked down five 3-pointers to start the second half, kicking into high gear on offense to push the lead over the Timberwolves out to 28 points during the third quarter.
San Antonio is 13 of 25 (52%) from 3-point range, highlighted by a 5-for-6 showing from Stephon Castle, who has five 3-point makes for the first time in his NBA career.
McDaniels back in foul trouble
One of the keys for Minnesota in this game was to keep ace defender Jaden McDaniels on the floor and out of foul trouble.
He picked up his fourth on a Stephon Castle drive less than a minute and a half into the third quarter.
McDaniels has registered four fouls or more in each of the six games of the series so far.
McDaniels is headed to the bench for a spell now, which removes some of the teeth from Minnesota’s defense.
-Jeff McDonald
Fox starts second half after injury scare
After limping off near the end of the second quarter, De’Aaron Fox participated in San Antonio’s warmups ahead of the second-half tipoff and was on the floor to begin the third quarter.
Fox appeared to be favoring his right ankle after jumping for a rebound late in the opening half.
He was listed as questionable for Game 5 due to right ankle soreness but ended up starting and posting 18 points and five assists in 34 minutes.
By Greg Luca
Wolves keeping it just close enough at half
How much fight do the Timberwolves have left? Well, some.
Anthony Edwards and T.J. Shannon teamed up in the second half of the second quarter to help Minnesota carve a 29-point deficit to 74-61 at the break.
It was a tough end to the quarter for the Spurs, as Castle fouled Edwards near midcourt with 1.5 seconds to go. Edwards made the first foul shot, and missed the second. Keldon Johnson failed to block out Naz Reid on Edwards’ misfire, leading to Reid’s putback basket at the horn.
A 13-point lead at halftime on the road is good. A 16-point lead would have been better.
-Jeff McDonald
Fox limps off as Timberwolves cut into Spurs’ lead
San Antonio guard De’Aaron Fox limped off the floor late in the first half for an early trip back to the locker room. The Spurs, meanwhile, were struggling to withstand a Timberwolves rally. San Antonio led by as many as 29 points early in the second quarter, but Minnesota trailed just 74-61 by the end of the period.
Stephon Castle leads the Spurs with 19 points, while Victor Wembanyama and Fox each scored 13. Anthony Edwards has 19 and Naz Reid has 18 for Minnesota.
Fox appeared to be nursing his right ankle after leaping for a rebound late in the second quarter. He was listed as questionable for Game 5 due to right ankle soreness but ended up starting, posting 18 points and five assists in 34 minutes.
Spurs D ferocious to start 2Q
The Sean Sweeney-designed, Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs defense has been at its full-throated best to start the second quarter.
Minnesota missed its first 12 shots to open the frame, finally breaking the drought with a Terrence Shannon bucket-and-foul on Wembanyama with 7:03 remaining in the half, ending a 20-0 San Antonio run to start the second quarter.
Keyed by that defensive resistance, the Spurs opened up a lead as large as 29 points.
It will be interesting to see what kind of fight the Timberwolves have left with their season on the line.
-Jeff McDonald
Spurs offense hitting on all cylinders as second-quarter lead grows
It doesn’t matter who’s playing point guard for the Spurs. Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper all are getting to the rim at will, over and over again. They’ve combined to make layups and dunks, and it’s happening whether Rudy Gobert is in the game or not.
-Mike Finger
Castle on fire from deep
Stephon Castle’s 3-for-3 start from 3-point range isn’t surprising. He came into the game shooting nearly 40% from deep on 4.3 attempts in the playoffs after shooting 33.2% in the regular season on 3.6 tries. Teams definitely pay a price for leaving him open now.
The 2024-25 Rookie of the Year has 17 points on 6 of 7 from the field and 3 of 3 from distance, putting him in position to top his playoff high of 33 points in Game 3 against Portland in the first round.
-Tom Orsborn
Naz Reid keeping Wolves in it early
The Spurs jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first 4:19. Naz Reid is keeping Minnesota in the game with some tough shot-making.
He has scored eight in a row for the Wolves, including a contested 3-pointer to beat the 24-second clock and a corner 3-pointer with Dylan Harper draped all over him.
The Spurs are up 25-20 with 4:28 to go in the first quarter.
-Jeff McDonald
Spurs keep atmosphere light before potential closeout game
Keldon Johnson brought the energy before Game 6, leading the Spurs’ pregame tunnel chant in Minneapolis ahead of a potential series-clinching win.
Castle cooking early for Spurs
Stephon Castle continues to look ready for the moment in his debut trip to the NBA playoffs, opening Game 6 with 11 points, three rebounds and two assists in the first six minutes.
A 21-year-old in his second pro season, Castle entered Friday averaging 18.7 points, 6.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game during the playoffs, scoring at a rate two points better than his regular season average.
Timberwolves fans give Wemby the business
Minnesota’s faithful greeted Victor Wembanyama with a chorus of boos the first time he touched the ball Friday night in his return to Target Center following his Game 4 ejection for elbowing Naz Reid in the neck and jaw area.
Not surprisingly, Julius Randle has engaged in some early clutching and grabbing with Wemby, who shook it off and got his first bucket on a low-post slam just minutes into the game.
-Tom Orsborn
Spurs keys to victory in Game 6
As San Antonio looks to close out Minnesota in Game 6 Friday night, keeping cool under pressure from a hostile crowd will be one of the biggest keys to victory, writes beat writer Jeff McDonald for the San Antonio Express-News.
The Spurs also need to lock down on Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards while continuing to attack standout defender Jaden McDaniels, potentially putting him in foul trouble.
Spurs stars make stylish entrance ahead of Game 6
The San Antonio Spurs didn’t just arrive at the Target Center for Friday night’s win-or-go-home Game 6 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves; they made an entrance.
From cowboy-inspired looks to oversized tailoring and layered streetwear, Spurs players turned the arena tunnel into a playoff runway hours before the 8:30 p.m. tipoff in Minneapolis.
Johnson confident in Spurs entering closeout scenario
A young Spurs roster will be stepping into a road closeout game for the first time on Friday, but coach Mitch Johnson said the group should benefit from the experience of winning its only shot at a closeout game against Portland during the opening round.
The Spurs won the final three games of the series against the Trail Blazers by double digits, securing Games 3 and 4 in Portland before finishing out the series with a 114-95 win during Game 5 in San Antonio.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on entering a closeout game: “There’s been a lot of talk about experience with our team and lack thereof, and the 10 games that we’ve played and the journey we’ve had this season, it’s a lot of experience that it feels like this team has had this year.” pic.twitter.com/ohtNwlpRiz
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 16, 2026
Spurs head to Minnesota with eyes on finishing series
After erupting for 27 points and 17 rebounds during a Game 5 rout, Victor Wembanyama leads the Spurs on the road for a potential closeout game against the Timberwolves at 8:30 p.m. Friday from the Target Center in Minneapolis.
San Antonio holds a 3-2 lead in the series, on the brink of securing a spot in the conference finals for the first time since 2017.
The Spurs are expecting a rowdy reception, with Wembanyama likely to draw the most jeers after being ejected from his previous game at the Target Center following an elbow to Naz Reid.
How to watch the game on TV
The Spurs are set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. Friday from the Target Center in Minneapolis, with a broadcast on Amazon Prime Video. The game will also air on the radio on 1200 AM, or in Spanish on 1350 AM and 107.5 FM.
By Greg Luca, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News