NBA Notes: Spurs, Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards, Knicks, OG Anunoby

Spurs

The Spurs are headed back to the Western Conference finals, and it wasn’t just Victor Wembanyama leading the way. It was the backcourt.

Stephon Castle went off for 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while De’Aaron Fox added 21 on 8-of-10 shooting and Dylan Harper chipped in 15. Together, the trio powered a 139-109 Game 6 rout of the Timberwolves, closing out the series in emphatic fashion.

By the end of the third quarter, they had combined for 58.2% of the scoring, shooting 23-of-30 from the field and 9-of-12 from deep, along with 15 assists. They also accounted for half of the team’s postseason-record 18 3-pointers.

“I think it could be anybody’s night on a given night,” Castle told reporters.

That’s the problem for opponents. Focus too much on Wembanyama and the guards make you pay. The franchise star finished with 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks, still impacting things in his own way.

“The way this team is built, they were trying to take me away from the rim,” Wembanyama said. “There’s no other way to fight that than just fight it with physicality. [Castle] was amazing.”

Castle’s night was historic. He became just the fifth player in franchise history to record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a clincher, joining names like Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Fox added his own mark, becoming the first Spur since Kawhi Leonard in 2017 to score 20 on at least 80% shooting in a playoff game.

“He was pretty damned good,” coach Mitch Johnson said of Castle. “His temperament and disposition … when those guys have the right approach, their talent can take it to another level.”

Now comes the next step. Oklahoma City awaits.

“What we’re walking into on Monday is a different animal,” Harper said. “We’ve just got to keep the foot on the gas.”

Timberwolves

The Timberwolves didn’t just lose. They ran into a team that was better, and Anthony Edwards knew it before the final buzzer.

With about eight minutes left in the blowout, Edwards walked to the Spurs bench for handshakes and hugs.

“I just tip my hat to them,” he said, via ESPN’s Myron Medcalf. “They’re just the better team.”

It was a strange moment, but it fit a strange night. Minnesota never found rhythm, finishing just 18-of-59 from the field among its starters.

Injuries didn’t help. Edwards wasn’t fully himself after a knee issue, and Chris Finch acknowledged it.

“I’ve got nothing but great things to say about Ant’s performance,” Finch said. “He wasn’t supposed to even be there until the middle of the series.”

Still, the bigger issue may be the pattern. This marks three straight playoff exits for Minnesota in elimination games, all by 20 or more points.

Edwards pointed to missing pieces, including Donte DiVincenzo.

“He spreads the floor like no other,” Edwards said. “In a series like this … I’d love to have Donte in my slot and just let it fly.”

Now comes an offseason filled with questions. About the roster. About the climb. About whether this group can get over the hump in a loaded West.

Asked if there’s a common theme to the exits, Edwards kept it short.

“Good question,” he said. “No comment.”

Knicks

The Knicks may be getting a key piece back at just the right time.

OG Anunoby has returned to practice and said his latest hamstring injury isn’t as serious as the one he suffered two years ago.

“It didn’t feel as bad,” Anunoby said, via the AP. “Just trying to improve it day by day.”

He has been a full participant in recent practices and is trending toward a return as the Eastern Conference finals approach.

“I think everyone’s excited,” Anunoby said. “Just be ready whenever it is.”

That timing could matter. While New York swept its series, Cleveland and Detroit are headed to Game 7, giving the Knicks extra rest and Anunoby more time to recover.

Before the injury, he had been rolling, averaging 21.4 points while shooting 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from three, all while serving as the team’s top perimeter defender.

“He’s been back and he looks good to me,” Mikal Bridges said. “I think he’ll be all right.”

Coach Mike Brown was a little more cautious but encouraged.

“To go through that is not fun this time of year,” Brown said. “You need everybody healthy to a certain degree. Hopefully that’s going the right way.”