Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) pleads his case to referee James Capers (19) during the first half of Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center in Minneapolis, Friday, May 15, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
MINNEAPOLIS — Stephon Castle and the Spurs entered the Western Conference semifinals with plenty of respect for Anthony Edwards, but a show of sportsmanship by Minnesota’s four-time All-Star guard in the fourth quarter of Friday nights’ 139-109 series-clinching victory made them appreciate him even more.
With eight minutes left and the Spurs ahead by 33 points, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch conceded defeat by pulling his starters, including Edwards, who finished with a team-high 24 points on 9-for-26 shooting.
Article continues below this ad
Rather than head straight for the Minnesota bench, Edwards made his way to the Spurs bench to offer his congratulations to coach Mitch Johnson and his players.
“I never seen that before,” said Castle, who led the Spurs with 32 points, a playoff-best 11 rebounds and six assists.
“It was cool,” Castle said of the act by his fellow Georgian. “We were competing all series, so for him to come over there and show that kind of respect is definitely cool.”
Edwards had consecutive 30-point games against the Spurs despite playing on two sore knees.
Article continues below this ad
“I just tip my hat to them,” Edwards said. “They were just the better team.”
READ MIKE FINGER: How Spurs bucked tradition on way to the Western Conference Finals
Earlier in the series, Castle talked about his bond with Edwards as two Atlanta natives.
“Ant’s a great player,” Castle said. “(Georgia) is a great state to play basketball. It’s nothing but great competition out there.”
Article continues below this ad
Rush to greatness: With their rout of the Timberwolves, the Spurs joined some elite company by becoming just the fifth team in NBA history to reach the conference finals after missing the postseason for six or more seasons.
In their first playoff appearance since 2019, the Spurs reached the Western Conference finals by vanquishing Timberwolves in six games. The other teams to make such an impressive leap after similar long droughts are the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers, the 2001-02 Boston Celtics, the 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers and the 2020-21 Phoenix Suns.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) gets the fans fired up with a big play as San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) looks away during the first half of Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center in Minneapolis, Friday, May 15, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) reacts after Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) fouled him during the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center in Minneapolis, Friday, May 15, 2026. The Spurs defeated the Timberwolves 139-109 and will advance to the Western Conference Finals to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) gets the layup past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half of Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center in Minneapolis, Friday, May 15, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) goes up for a shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second quarter of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center in Minneapolis, Friday, May 15, 2026. The Spurs defeated the Timberwolves 139-109 and will advance to the Western Conference Finals to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) gets the layup past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half of Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center in Minneapolis, Friday, May 15, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
The Bill Walton-led Blazers team and the LeBron James-led Lakers squad went on to win the NBA championship.
Article continues below this ad
The Spurs think they can do the same after becoming the first team in NBA history to win three separate games in a playoff series by at least 29 points.
“We’re a really talented group that plays together and plays very selfish and we’re all young,” Castle said.
Offense sizzled in close-out game: The 139 points the Spurs scored in Game 1 marked the third-most points tallied in a playoff game in franchise history.
The Spurs had 152 in Game 1 of the 1983 West semifinals and 145 in Game 7 of those same West semifinals against Denver.
Article continues below this ad
“We have a lot of young guys that are very talented,” Castle said. “It could be anybody’s night on any given night. We’re just very selfless and the way we move the ball is just fun to play.”
Barnes praised: Johnson held up Harrison Barnes as an example of the unselfishness that has been a trademark of the Spurs all season.
The 33-year-old forward’s numbers dwindled against the Timberwolves to the point that he didn’t enter Game 6 until the start of the fourth quarter, but the coach made sure to praise him for his team-first attitude.
Article continues below this ad
“It’s been pretty fun when you see a group of guys willing to give themselves to the team, the process, regardless of what that means for themselves,” Johnson said. “Harrison Barnes tonight didn’t play to the fourth quarter, but had monster plays again. I know the score was what it was, but you need every single possession.”