Spurs’ Stephon Castle admits Thunder present ‘totally different’ challenge after Game 6

The San Antonio Spurs are officially back on the big stage, and rookie Stephon Castle isn’t shrinking under the bright lights. Following a dominant 139-109 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, the Spurs clinched their spot in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2017.

While the locker room celebrated a 4-2 series win, Castle already had his sights set on a much bigger fish: the Oklahoma City Thunder. Castle was the undisputed star of the clincher at Target Center. The rookie sensation torched Minnesota for 32 points and 11 rebounds, shooting a hyper-efficient 12-of-20 from the floor.

Alongside Victor Wembanyama, who added 19 points and three blocks, and De’Aaron Fox, who orchestrated the offense with 21 points and nine assists, Castle looked like a seasoned vet rather than a first-year player.

Speaking with NBA on Prime after the blowout, Castle admitted the team’s rapid ascent didn’t surprise those inside the building.

“We knew we were ahead of schedule probably in December last year,” Castle said. “We knew the talent we had in this room.”

"We knew we were ahead of schedule probably in December last year… They’re [OKC] the defending champs. We know it’s gonna be tough to knock them off but I think we’re pretty confident we could do it.”

-Stephon Castle

(via @NBAonPrime) pic.twitter.com/iITOFQHa1Z

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 16, 2026

However, the road to the NBA Finals now runs through a juggernaut. The Oklahoma City Thunder await in the WCF, and as the defending champions, they present a “totally different” beast than the Timberwolves. The Thunder spent the season proving their title run wasn’t a fluke, and Castle is well aware of the mountain the Spurs have to climb.

“They’re the defending champs,” Castle noted. “We know it’s gonna be tough to knock them off, but I think we’re pretty confident we could do it.”

San Antonio’s defense, which Wembanyama recently called the “most fun” he’s ever been a part of, will face its ultimate test against OKC’s relentless offense. If Castle continues to play at this elite level, the Spurs might just pull off the unthinkable and dethrone the kings of the West.

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