By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Victor Wembanyama opened up about the San Antonio Spurs taking down the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday and advancing to the Western Conference Finals, after winning the best-of-seven series 4–2.
“It’s great. It shows that we are getting a little bit of experience from our short playoff time. It felt like we put ourselves in the best conditions,” he shared during his postgame press conference following Game 6 at Target Center. “Relentlessness, trusting the game plan, and staying strong through their runs.”
Addressing his relatively quiet performance, Wemby elaborated on the opponent’s strategy to limit his defensive presence.
“We have a lot of confidence in me having this role. I have a lot of confidence in it. They knew it and tried to take me away from centering the defense. This is what they do. The way their team is built, they were trying to take me away from the rim, just grab me. That’s why I was talking about relentlessness as well, because there is no other way to fight that than just fight it with physicality,” he remarked.
When asked about how his team is managing a general lack of postseason experience during this impressive run in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, the 22-year-old French center expressed absolute faith in the team’s leadership.
“The nature of the Playoffs makes it so that we are going to play against better teams. There was already a leap between the first and second round, and there is probably going to be an even bigger leap between the second and third. We got good guidance. We got a good coaching staff, the best, actually. So, we can trust them,” he responded.
Looking ahead to facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in a new best-of-seven series with Game 1 in Paycom Center on Monday, he emphasized a disciplined approach to the upcoming matchup.
“Of course, we are confident, but we need to keep the right confidence level. Right now, I’m not even thinking about it. I’m thinking about recovering, about getting this press conference over with, and we’re going to see about it in the next couple of days,” Wemby explained. “It’s going to be the same as usual. Prepare, take care of your body, scout, watch the film, and practice.”
Concluding his thoughts, the young star allowed himself a moment to appreciate the gravity of reaching the penultimate round of the 2025-26 season.
“My mind is excited. My body is tired after this game. Just the words ‘Conference Finals’ are crazy. It’s something I heard my whole life, and now I’m in it. It’s just special,” he said. “Hopefully, many more Conference Finals to come in the next few years.”
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-3 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – New York Knicks / New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions