The San Antonio Spurs delivered a dominant performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder, winning Game 6 by a commanding score of 118-91.
The result sets up a deciding Game 7 between the two sides, which few observers would have predicted to be a surprise given the quality of both teams.
Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer for San Antonio, bouncing back strongly after what had been one of his worst playoff outings in Game 5.
Wembanyama went 3-for-4 from three-point range in the first quarter alone, immediately stretching the Thunder’s defense and forcing them to adjust their game plan.
He finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and three blocks, setting an aggressive tone that his teammates were able to feed off throughout the contest.
In Game 5, the Thunder had succeeded by keeping Wembanyama away from the basket, but that defensive approach was completely dismantled in Game 6.
Devin Vassell also delivered a strong showing, contributing 12 points on 4-for-7 three-point shooting alongside a steal and two blocks, including one on Chet Holmgren.
Vassell’s block on Holmgren prompted an uncharacteristically emphatic celebration from the sixth-year forward, who is considered a crucial element of San Antonio’s interior defense and three-point attack.
The young guard pairing of Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle also impressed, with Harper putting up 12 first-half points on 5-for-6 shooting and Castle finishing with 17 points and nine assists.
Castle committed only one turnover in Game 6, a marked improvement from the 20 turnovers he recorded across the first two games of the series.
On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled to impose himself, shooting 6-for-18 and finishing with just 15 points, four assists, and an 0-for-5 showing from three-point range.
The two-time MVP also only drew three free throws in a game where his team desperately needed him to take control and book a place in the NBA Finals.
Jalen Williams, returning from a hamstring injury for the second time in these playoffs, was even more concerning for Oklahoma City, finishing with more turnovers than points and a plus/minus of -18 in just 10 minutes.
Chet Holmgren scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 24 minutes but was blocked by both Vassell and Wembanyama, and his most-discussed moment was drawing a foul on what many viewed as a blatant flop.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks continue to benefit from their extended rest, having won 11 straight playoff games and now guaranteed eight full days off before Game 1 of the Finals on June 3.
