San Antonio, which dominated the Western Conference throughout the regular season, never trailed in the series-clinching game. The Spurs built an insurmountable lead early in the second quarter with a 20-0 run and extended it to as many as 34 points. Their explosive performance was highlighted by a playoff-record 18 three-pointers.
Stephon Castle led the way with 32 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, along with 11 rebounds and six assists. At just 21 years old, Castle became the youngest player in NBA playoff history to post at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 made three-pointers in a single game, surpassing Luka Dončić’s previous mark, according to The Athletic’s Jared Weiss.
The Spurs’ dominance was evident early as Minnesota’s brief comeback at the end of the first half, cutting the deficit to 13, quickly dissolved in the third quarter. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 24 points but struggled from the field, shooting 9-of-26. Jaden McDaniels contributed 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting, while Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle combined for just three points on 1-of-12 shooting. Despite committing only five turnovers, Minnesota’s offensive futility proved insurmountable.
“This was the Spurs playing at their best,” said a Spurs representative. “They executed on both ends, shot lights out from deep, and controlled the tempo from start to finish.”
The Thunder, who swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the other Western Conference semifinal, will now await San Antonio in what promises to be a thrilling series.
Game 1 tips off Monday, with the winner advancing to the NBA Finals.
