The San Antonio Spurs started Game 6 with a small halftime lead before completely taking over with a stunning third-quarter defensive performance.
The Spurs recorded five blocked shots, three steals and a dominant 20-11 rebounding advantage after the break to suffocate the Oklahoma City Thunder.
San Antonio won the third quarter 32-13, fuelled by a remarkable 20-0 scoring run that shifted the game’s entire complexion.
The victory forced a decisive Game 7 against the Thunder, scheduled for Saturday in Oklahoma City.
Both teams rely heavily on three-point shooting, but Oklahoma City’s attempts from deep dried up completely in the third quarter, missing all eight of their attempts.
The Thunder shot just 25 percent from the field for the entire game, largely because the Spurs were locking down the interior with relentless intensity.
Victor Wembanyama blocked two shots, Julian Champagnie rejected two more, and Devin Vassell added a block of his own during that dominant third-quarter stretch.
Wembanyama capped the period with a swat on Chet Holmgren to complete what was a total defensive masterclass from the Spurs.
Wembanyama finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as San Antonio entered the fourth quarter firmly in control of the game.
The Spurs opened the game on fire from three-point range, going 8-for-14 in the first quarter, the most made threes in a playoff quarter since 1998.
San Antonio cooled significantly after that hot start, going only 7-for-24 from deep over the remaining three quarters and finishing at 37 percent from three.
Foul management proved critical, with referees calling just 14 fouls on the Spurs compared to 29 whistles against them in the previous game.
That disciplined approach helped limit MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to just 15 points on 6-for-18 shooting, with few trips to the foul line.
Guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper combined for only four personal fouls, allowing the Spurs to stay out of the bonus and neutralise Gilgeous-Alexander’s off-ball movement.
Game 7 now awaits on the road in Oklahoma City, where the Spurs will look to unseat the defending champions and advance.
