‘I had to make a statement’: Wembanyama’s Spurs knock Timberwolves out of NBA playoffs

• Third straight season-ending blowout for Minnesota

• San Antonio to face Oklahoma City in conference finals

• Pistons hold off Cavaliers to force Game 7

The San Antonio Spurs were well on their way to the Western Conference finals in the fourth quarter when Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards went down to their bench to briefly offer his congratulations. The young Spurs left no doubt they're already a serious NBA title contender.

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs romped past the Timberwolves 139-109 on Friday night in Minneapolis to finish in the second-round series in six games and reach the conference finals for the first time since 2017. Stephon Castle had 32 points and 11 rebounds in another dominant performance from the backcourt.