NSL Insider - WCF Review: Wolves V Spurs

by Jasonpitts, updated on Friday, June 20 2025, 07:41 pm EST

Western Conference Finals - Spurs Survive the Wolves’ Bite

After six hard-fought games, the San Antonio Spurs are heading to the NSL Finals, having taken down the Minnesota Timberwolves 4–2 in what was a tight series packed with close finishes, huge performances (as predicted), and just enough drama to keep the group chat firing.

No one is surprised the Spurs won, but maybe some are surprised it took six games. In saying that, only 62% of the league picked Nelson’s squad to advance. The rest? Either big believers in Shay’s Wolves or possibly still riding the emotional high of that Pelicans playoff run. I think some people forgot the Spurs had this guy called The Greek Freak. Even though the spurs didn’t finish with a super high seed, we all saw the writing on the wall.

The Wolves came out swinging in Game 1, grabbing the early lead in the series and maybe even making Nelson think twice about how the series may pan out. But then the Spurs did what most thought they would, grind out consecutive wins. Games 2, 3, and 4 all went to San Antonio, but not without some resistance from Shay. None of those games were decided by more than eight points. Losing 3 close ones in a row, that stings for all fellow GMs who have watched their fate be decided by a couple of wild 2K plays every now and then.

The Wolves pulled one back in Game 5, winning by five points and showing signs of life, before the Spurs slammed the door shut in Game 6 with a decisive 21-point win at home. The league was rooting for a game 7, but I am sure Nelson was happy to receive his chocolates and move on to the next.

San Antonio’s Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, did as expected. He averaged 39.7 points, 13.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 4.8 stocks per game. That’s not a typo. That’s borderline criminal, but as he should since 2K was built for this man. Add in Jamal Murray’s extremely solid 25.2 PPG and the Spurs had a two-man wrecking crew leading the charge.

On the Wolves’ side, things were a bit more balanced. Jimmy Butler averaged 24 points and played with his usual chip-on-the-shoulder intensity, while Anthony Davis was the story of the series, only managing to put up 19 and grab 11 boards a game. He didn’t quite have the offensive dominance needed to match Giannis’ level and what he had shown all season and postseason for that matter, seems the Freak got in his head.

From a shooting standpoint, the Spurs held a slight edge, hitting 34% from deep and 49% from the field. The Wolves weren’t far behind at 30% and 46%, but in a series where the average point differential was just 3.9 points per game, those small margins made all the difference and demonstrate the sort of defence that was being played out there. Every missed corner three and fumbled layup mattered. It was one of those matchups where every possession felt like it could swing the outcome. A stressful one for the GMs, but brilliant for the us the spectators.

Shoutout to Nelson, who’s been here before and just knows how to win. With Giannis in God-mode and Jamal backing him up, Nelson’s Spurs did what most expected: deliver.

Shay being relatively new on the GM scene but already started making noise. Inheriting the Wolves wasn’t exactly a luxury cruise, especially with the awkward "should we/shouldn’t we" saga around Jimmy Butler. But instead of pulling the eject cord, Shay steered the ship into the conference finals. That’s no small feat, but he did have AD run rings around most opponents leading into this series so that always helps… And let’s be honest, a few months ago if you told people the Wolves would be in the final four, you probably would’ve been significantly outnumbered in the Discord channel. He’s already proven he belongs in this league.

Both teams came in hot which is what we wanted to see. The Spurs swept an up and down Denver Nuggets team before surviving a spirited Lakers squad in six games. The Wolves’ playoff journey had so much buzz, eliminating the Jazz (who many had going deeper), then sending the Pelicans packing like it was no big deal. The Wolves were not the team you wanted to face heading into this one. This series was always going to be a battle of momentum, and if the freak could just keep being the freak.

After 6 games the Spurs are off to the NSL Finals, facing the Washington Wizards, whom many are tipped would make it to the big dance, I for one was rooting for Josh on the sidelines in his ‘redemption’ tour.

As for Shay, the league congratulates you on a stellar playoff run. Retool, rearm, and come back next season (with or without Jimmy Buckets). There’s a good chance we’ll be seeing the Wolves right back in this spot next season.

In the end, the Western Conference Finals delivered on its promise, which was entertaining the league and showcasing 2 of the league’s best. Congrats to the Spurs. Commiserations to the Wolves. Now we eagerly await to see if the Nelson can get another ring or if Josh can grab his long awaited first.

	SA	104
	WAS	108

	WAS	98
	SA	123

	WAS	105
	SA	102

	SA	100
	WAS	104

	SA	106
	WAS	108

NSL Insider - WCF Review: Wolves V Spurs

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