NBA Spurs Reach West Finals As Pistons Force Game 7 In Dramatic Finishes

The San Antonio Spurs closed out the Minnesota Timberwolves 139-109, while the Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94, shaping both NBA playoffs series. San Antonio advanced in six games to reach the Western Conference finals. Detroit forced a decisive Game 7 in the Eastern Conference second round, keeping the season alive again.

The Spurs now prepare for defending champions Oklahoma City, with Game 1 of the Western Conference finals scheduled for Monday night. The Thunder swept both earlier rounds. Detroit hosts Cleveland on Sunday for Game 7, after handing Cleveland the first home defeat of this postseason and extending a strong record in elimination situations.

Stephon Castle led San Antonio with 32 points and 11 rebounds, driving another strong Spurs backcourt display. Castle hit his first five 3-pointers and finished 11 of 16 from the field. De'Aaron Fox produced 21 points and nine assists, while rookie Dylan Harper supplied 15 points from the bench, deepening Minnesota's defensive problems on the perimeter.

Victor Wembanyama delivered only 19 points in 27 minutes in Game 6, as Minnesota defended more aggressively. The influence still stayed clear at both rims, with constant rim protection and quick running in transition. Earlier in the series, Wembanyama answered a dramatic Game 4 ejection by posting 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in a dominant Game 5 display.

San Antonio's overall numbers underlined the gap. Fox went 3 of 3 from long range, and Julian Champagnie hit four 3-pointers within an 18-point contribution. The Spurs never trailed by double digits during the series and finished with a combined plus-97 scoring margin. Minnesota struggled to match the guards' size and decision-making while also dealing with Wembanyama's presence.

Detroit's win came through a dominant second half, turning a tight contest into a convincing result against Cleveland. Cade Cunningham produced 21 points and sank five 3-pointers, as the Pistons finished 16 of 36 from beyond the arc. The team collected a fourth victory this postseason while facing elimination, showing similar resilience to the first-round comeback.

Jalen Duren added 15 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, and Daniss Jenkins matched the 15 points. Paul Reed scored 17, helping the Pistons bench outscore Cleveland's reserves 48-19. Duncan Robinson, returning from a lower back problem that kept Robinson out of Game 5, hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, further stretching the Cavaliers defence.

On the Cleveland side, James Harden led with 23 points, while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley each scored 18. Cleveland suffered the first home defeat of this postseason, struggling to keep up with Detroit's shooting and depth. Earlier, Detroit overturned a 3-1 deficit against Orlando by winning three straight games, and now seeks a repeat against Cleveland.

Anthony Edwards tried to keep Minnesota close with 24 points, although the 9-for-26 shooting showed how difficult the night became against San Antonio's switching defence. Terrence Shannon added 21 points from the bench and Naz Reid had 18, but Julius Randle managed only three points on 1-for-8 shooting. The Wolves again appeared unsettled by the Spurs' constant pressure.