After a dominant victory in Game Five, the San Antonio Spurs will head to Minnesota with a chance to clinch a spot in the Western Conference Finals. In case you’re looking for even more drama than an elimination game, it will be the first time Victor Wembanyama has played in the Target Center since he was ejected from Game Four of the series.
The Spurs found success in Minneapolis the last time they had a must-win game coming off a blowout at home. San Antonio won Game Three in Minnesota 115-108, thanks to some clutch scoring by Wembanyama down the stretch. This game will likely elicit a more desperate effort from the Wolves, who are known for fighting back when their backs are against the wall. San Antonio will need to be ready for a feisty and physical Wolves squad playing in front of a raucous crowd.
The Silver and Black will trot into Minnesota with a clean injury report. They’ll need all hands on deck to close this series out on the road. With the Oklahoma City Thunder getting plenty of rest, and the unpredictability of a Game Seven, San Antonio will have a bit of desperation themselves to win this series in six.
May 15th, 2026 | 8:30 PM CT
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Spurs Injuries: No injuries
Timberwolves Injuries: Donte DiVincenzo – Out (achilles)
What to watch for:
Getting to the basket
The Spurs outscored the Wolves in the paint 68-36 in Game Five. They relentlessly attacked the paint, especially in transition, to put Minnesota away in the second half. Getting to the rim and scoring through contact should be a focal point for their offense in Game Six, especially if the Wolves are thinking about going smaller with Rudy Gobert sitting on the bench. Gobert has been great defensively in this series, but has struggled offensively in the last few games, which has led to the Wolves going to Naz Reid at the center spot to spread the Spurs out a bit and add some offensive versatility to their lineup. Without Gobert’s rim protection, San Antonio has been able to capitalize at the rim. They’ll need more of that to close out this series on the road.
Can a second Timberwolf step up?
Anthony Edwards has been incredible in this series. He’s averaging 23.6 points while shooting 50.6% from the field and 40% from three. He’s been so good that the Spurs have elected to double-team him every time he catches the ball or brings it up the floor. San Antonio has begged another Timberwolf to beat them, and so far, none of them have risen to the challenge. Julius Randle has struggled, Ayo Dosumnu hasn’t hit the heights of his performance in the first round, and Jaden McDaniels has struggled to score over Wembanyama at the rim. If just one of these players turns it on in Game Six, the Spurs’ strategy of doubling Edwards could fall apart, and we may see a new defensive scheme from Mitch Johnson and Sean Sweeney.
Role players hitting threes
San Antonio has had hot-and-cold shooting performances from its role players in the playoffs. Julian Champagnie started the playoffs shooting the lights out, but has come back to earth a bit in recent games. Devin Vassell has struggled to find his stroke from deep all postseason, shooting just 31% from three. The Spurs need these two to hit open shots on Friday. The Silver and Black’s guards have done a great job of penetrating and drawing multiple defenders. Their shooters need to make the defense pay for collapsing onto drivers.
While not a role player, De’Aaron Fox’s shooting stroke will be important here, too. Elimination games on the road are exactly where veterans need to step up and take the reins. Fox is only shooting 44% from the field and 30.6% from three. Getting some of those mid-range jumpers and pull-up threes to go down could be just what the Spurs need to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
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