Spurs Advance to the Western Conference Finals to Face OKC

Spurs Advance to the Western Conference Finals to Face OKC

San Antonio closed out the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 in Minneapolis. Stephon Castle, asked after the game whether the team was ahead of schedule, pushed back — the Spurs knew they were ready.

2017 was the last time San Antonio reached the Western Conference Finals, a turning point when Zaza Pachulia slid his foot under Kawhi Leonard in Game 1, injuring him and sending the franchise into a tailspin. This Western Conference Finals represents the other end of that swing, with the Spurs now considered a contender for years to come.

Oklahoma City enters as reigning champions. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP, Finals MVP, and this year's Clutch Player of the Year. The Thunder went through Phoenix and the Lakers in the first two rounds without a loss. Wembanyama, pushed around by Minnesota's bigs, will now face Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. When asked about inexperience, Wembanyama said simply: "Heart matters more than anything." Game 1 is Monday night in Oklahoma City.

Gobble's Take: OKC went 8-0 through two rounds. "Heart matters more than anything" will be tested starting Monday.

Sources: Yahoo Sports NBA · CBS Sports NBA

Donovan Mitchell's Game 6 Struggles Continue as Cavaliers Forced to Game 7 in Detroit

Donovan Mitchell has never missed the playoffs. He's also never made the Conference Finals. That remained true when the Detroit Pistons crushed the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 in Game 6 of their second-round series, forcing a Game 7 back in Detroit on Sunday.

Mitchell wasn't the only Cavalier at fault, but his no-show was the biggest reason Cleveland lost at home for the first time in the playoffs in Game 6. His final line: 18 points on 6-of-20 shooting, 2-of-6 from three, four rebounds, three assists, and three turnovers — the worst plus/minus on the team. It was his sixth consecutive Game 6 loss, including four close-out games, dating back to his time with the Jazz in the 2020 bubble.

It was the third time in 13 playoff games he's been held under 20 points and the third time he's shot below 40 percent. "We missed an opportunity," Mitchell said. "We gotta go out there and win on the road."

Game 7 is Sunday in Detroit.

Gobble's Take: Mitchell is averaging 28.5 points for the series, but his last two games have been his worst, and Cleveland lost at home in the playoffs for the first time. The Cavaliers must now win on the road to advance.

Source: CBS Sports NBA

Minnesota Has Been to Three Straight Playoffs and Still Can't Find the Second Star It Needs

For the third consecutive season, the Timberwolves outperformed their seeding and then ran into a wall they couldn't climb. They upset Nikola Jokić's Nuggets in 2024. They reached the Western Conference Finals as a No. 6 seed last year. This year they again knocked out Jokić in the first round before falling to the Spurs in six games in the second.

Minnesota's only legitimate shot at a championship came in 2024. They had home-court advantage in the Western Conference Finals, had gone 3-1 against Dallas in the regular season, and had pushed the eventual champion Celtics to two overtime games. But Karl-Anthony Towns shot 15-for-54 across the first three games against the Mavericks, and Dallas advanced to the NBA Finals.

The Towns trade brought back Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Through the first five games of this year's loss to San Antonio, Edwards was the only Timberwolf averaging more than 15.2 points per game. Randle was at 14.8.

Gobble's Take: Three straight playoff runs, one real title shot, and a roster that still lacks a second genuine offensive star alongside Edwards.

Source: CBS Sports NBA

In Case You Missed It

Yesterday's top stories:

• LeBron James Unsure Whether He'll Play a 24th Season After Lakers Swept by Thunder
• Luka Dončić: "I Wasn't Close" to Playing as Lakers' Season Ends
• Donovan Mitchell Scores 39 Second-Half Points, Ties a 39-Year-Old Playoff Record, and Saves the Cavs' Season
• The Cavs Could Trade Evan Mobley for Giannis Depending on Playoff Results