Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves look to keep their season alive against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs in Game 6 tonight on Prime Video. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Friday’s action.
We’ve got a thrilling doubleheader of Game 6s tonight on Prime Video, starting with the Detroit Pistons visiting the Cleveland Cavaliers, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the San Antonio Spurs (Live)!
What we know about Friday’s games:
- Cade Cunningham and the Pistons force a Game 7 with a convincing 21-point win over Cleveland in Game 6. Game 7 in Detroit is set for Sunday on Prime Video, as the top-seeded Pistons get their fourth win facing elimination in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Those four victories are the second-most all-time by a No. 1 seed.
- The Timberwolves hope to bounce back from their 126-97 defeat in San Antonio on Tuesday in order to force a Game 7 on Sunday. For the Spurs, they’ll aim to keep up the pressure in the paint, as they outscored Minnesota 68-36 in paint scoring during their dominant win in Game 5. After finishing with 20 points on 6-for-13 shooting in 39 minutes in the loss, Anthony Edwards will need to be locked in and looking for his shot from the onset of Game 6.
MAY 15, 2026 / 9:54 ET
Friday’s final scores:
MAY 15, 2026 / 11:12 ET
Reed shows out in Game 6
“B-ball Paul” put on a show for the Pistons in their forceful win in Game 6 over the Cavs tonight.
Paul Reed delivered in a must-win Game 6!
17 PTS (career-high in a postseason game)
6 REB
Pistons force Game 7 in the East Semis 🍿 pic.twitter.com/y0IK5VBurj
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 11:05 ET
Spurs in control at half
San Antonio shoots 59.5% (25-42 FG) from the field and 8-for-16 from 3-point range on their way to a 74-61 lead at the break. Minnesota finishes the first half shooting 39.7% overall (23-58 FG) and 35.3% from 3 (6-17 3PM) despite erasing a 29-point deficit.
The Wolves are storming back 💨
Ant motors in for two.
Conley steals it.
Ant sinks the three.
Minnesota is fighting to keep their season alive in Game 6! pic.twitter.com/0eHYOF7lfn
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2026
The Spurs’ trio of Stephon Castle (19 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast), De’Aaron Fox (13 pts, 4 ast, 1 blk) and Victor Wembanyama (13 pts, 4 reb, 2 blk) power the first-half advantage.
went on a run 🐺🐺🐺 pic.twitter.com/2Ws9NygoFb
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 16, 2026
Anthony Edwards has 19 points on 8-for-18 shooting with 3 steals to lead the Wolves, while Naz Reid (18 pts, 3 3PM, 3 reb) and Terrence Shannon Jr. (11 pts, 1 ast, 1 stl) have been solid off the bench.
MAY 15, 2026 / 10:53 ET
Wolves clawing back
Minnesota trailed by as many as 29 points in the second quarter, but Anthony Edwards (16 pts, 3 stl) and Naz Reid (16 pts, 3 3PM) help trim the deficit to just 13, as the Wolves trail the Spurs 67-54 with 1:57 left in the first half.
ANTHONY EDWARDS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aiqm5MMLDk
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 10:35 ET
All San Antonio in Game 6
Minnesota has yet to score in the second quarter, and they trail the Spurs 52-27 following a 16-0 run by San Antonio.
😤😤😤
📺 @NBAonPrime pic.twitter.com/93kpbnArdh
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 16, 2026
Stephon Castle (17 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) and Victor Wembanyama (9 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast) are bringing the force and energy in Game 6.
“A ridiculous angle!”
Castle zips it to Wemby.
Wemby finishes with style.
Spurs lead by 25 in Q2 of Game 6 🍿 pic.twitter.com/ZSWhgkVOEr
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 10:25 ET
Spurs start 2Q strong
San Antonio begins the second quarter with a 7-0 run, taking a 43-27 advantage over the Wolves with 10:22 left in the first half.
right to the cup 👏
📺 @NBAonPrime pic.twitter.com/bamKdvDPGI
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 10:19 ET
San Antonio on top after 1Q
The Spurs take a 36-27 lead over Minnesota heading to the second quarter, as Stephon Castle (14 pts, 3 3PM, 3 reb, 2 ast) and De’Aaron Fox (9 pts on 4-4 FG, 3 ast) control the tempo.
Leading after 12!
END 1Q | SAS 36, MIN 27 pic.twitter.com/Jkg6bWdjD8
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 16, 2026
TUFF BUCKET 💪
📺 @NBAonPrime pic.twitter.com/4NDxMFNxHf
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 16, 2026
Naz Reid has a team-high 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting and 2-for-2 from behind the arc in 7 minutes off the Wolves’ bench, while Anthony Edwards paces the starters with 7 points (3-6 FG) and 2 steals.
Castle sinks his 3rd three 🎯
14 PTS in Q1!
Spurs lead by 9 in Game 6. pic.twitter.com/y2bdgMTRFK
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2026
THIS GUY.
🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 pic.twitter.com/6Bgs4tZoq9
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 9:59 ET
Spurs-Wolves Game 6 underway
Stephon Castle storms out of the gate with 8 points (3-4 FG) and two made 3s, 3 rebounds and 2 dimes to help San Antonio grab an early 18-11 lead with 6:57 left in the first quarter on Prime Video.
OH MY STEPH 🤯
📺 @NBAonPrime pic.twitter.com/VZciKga8KO
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 16, 2026
Anthony Edwards leads Minnesota with 7 points on 3-for-4 shooting and 2 steals.
THERE HE GOES 🐜 pic.twitter.com/gRIuRdd6C7
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 9:51 ET
Detroit dominates to force Game 7
The Pistons were in full force during their 115-94 win over Cleveland in Game 6, tying their series at 3 games apiece. Detroit was dominant in paint scoring (48-26) and bench points (48-19) while holding the Cavs to 13-for-35 shooting inside the paint (37.1%).
Duncan Robinson (14 pts, 4 3PM) was huge off the bench in his return after missing Game 5 with back soreness, and Paul Reed (17 pts on 7-9 FG, 6 reb, 1 blk) and Marcus Sasser (9 pts, game-best +27) fuel a tremendous showing for Detroit’s second unit.
PISTONS WIN GAME 6 ON THE ROAD TO FORCE GAME 7 🍿 pic.twitter.com/L0QDuRI3l1
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2026
Cade Cunningham (21 pts, 5 3PM, 8 ast) and Jalen Duren (15 pts, 11 reb, 3 blk) star in the victory, and Ausar Thompson’s (10 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast, 4 stl, 1 blk) presence was felt everywhere despite fouling out with 3:56 left in the contest.
James Harden leads Cleveland with 23 points (6-13 FG), 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals, but he tallies a game-high 8 turnovers in 37 minutes. Donovan Mitchell finishes with 18 points on 6-for-20 shooting and a game-worst -25 plus-minus in 37 minutes.
MAY 15, 2026 / 9:33 ET
Pistons close to tying series
Jalen Duren (13 pts, 9 reb, 3 blk) returns after twisting his ankle in the third, and the Pistons are separating from Cleveland with a 107-91 lead with 3:25 to go in Game 6.
BIG DAWG MOVES × 2 pic.twitter.com/vXA7ZbwHpK
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
Unc getting up pic.twitter.com/oHKNixhxTL
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 9:23 ET
Cavs trying to stay close
Cleveland trails Detroit 96-85 with 6:53 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Needed that one from the corner! @evanmobley | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/K5ABb7M2Z5
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
James Harden fuels the Cavs with 20 points on 5-for-11 shooting, while Cade Cunningham tallies a game-high 21 points and 7 assists along with five made 3s.
MAY 15, 2026 / 9:20 ET
San Antonio Spurs:
- PG – De’Aaron Fox (17.0 ppg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 spg)
- SG – Stephon Castle (17.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 6.2 apg, 1.0 spg)
- SF – Devin Vassell (12.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.4 spg)
- PF – Julian Champagnie (10.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.6 spg)
- C – Victor Wembanyama (20.0 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 4.4 bpg)
Dylan Harper (14.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.4 spg) and Keldon Johnson (11.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) headline a talented second unit for the Spurs.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
- PG – Ayo Dosunmu (9.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.8 spg)
- SG – Anthony Edwards (23.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.6 apg)
- SF – Jaden McDaniels (15.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 apg)
- PF – Julius Randle (14.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg)
- C – Rudy Gobert (8.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.2 spg, 1.2 bpg)
Terrence Shannon Jr. (8.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 apg) is available after being listed as questionable with a head contusion. He’ll lead the Wolves’ second unit alongside Naz Reid (13.6 ppg, 2.4 3PM, 7.8 rpg) and Mike Conley (5.6 ppg, 1.6 3PM, 2.6 apg).
MAY 15, 2026 / 9:10 ET
Detroit takes 14-point lead to 4Q
The Pistons close the third on a 10-2 run to secure a 84-70 lead, their largest of the game through three quarters. Cade Cunningham (19 pts, 6 ast) and Ausar Thompson (10 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast, 4 stl, 1 blk) fuel the Detroit advantage.
The Pistons are relentless 😤
Paul Reed finishes through contact after a wild sequence!
Detroit leads by 10 in Q3 of Game 6 🍿 pic.twitter.com/7E3Pm9nsHG
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2026
Paul Reed has been a huge spark off Detroit’s bench, dropping 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting with 5 rebounds and one block in 12 minutes.
Scoring inside & out! @smerrill05 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/r1EtVWu7KJ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
James Harden paces the Cavs with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in 28 minutes.
Detroit doing it on both ends 🔥
Paul Reed blocks it.
Marcus Sasser beats the Q3 buzzer.
Pistons lead by 15 in Q4 of Game 6! pic.twitter.com/R0s3TagJfm
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 9:03 ET
The Amazing Ausar
Ausar Thompson is one of the best athletes in the NBA, and he showcases it with his unreal bounce here. Detroit continues to fight off the Cavs, as the Pistons hold a 78-68 lead with 1:45 remaining in the third quarter.
“He could have grabbed it out of the air.”
Ausar showing off his athleticism in Game 6! https://t.co/vjDgac5TF2 pic.twitter.com/G7UDtoDmof
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 8:52 ET
Duren heads to locker room
Jalen Duren (9 pts, 7 reb, 1 stl, 2 blk) is going back to the locker room after twisting his ankle during the third quarter. Hopefully he’ll be back out there, but we’ll keep you posted here.
Mr. Cleanup pic.twitter.com/UKvkAKmDEV
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
Paul Reed (4 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast) replaces Duren, with the Pistons leading Cleveland 68-61 with 5:24 left in the third on Prime Video.
👏 Come on, JA! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/HTV75suNLE
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
James Harden (13 pts, 7 reb, 2 stl), Donovan Mitchell (13 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast), Evan Mobley (10 pts, 2 stl, 1 blk) and Jarrett Allen (11 pts, 7 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk) fuel Cleveland’s offense.
OH MY. 🚫
Ausar just being Ausar. pic.twitter.com/WwGBmm7Dw5
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 8:45 ET
Pistons start 3Q red-hot
Detroit bursts out to a 14-4 run to begin the second half and takes a 68-55 advantage over the hosting Cavaliers with 8:50 left in the third quarter.
Daniss. THE BIG DAWG. pic.twitter.com/aB3LHjV4Tn
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 8:25 ET
Pistons up 54-51 at halftime
Cleveland ends the first half on a 7-0 run to trim a 12-point deficit to just 3, as they trail the Pistons 54-51 at the break. Donovan Mitchell (13 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl) and Evan Mobley (9 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk) are doing a bit of everything for the Cavs.
The Fro with the flush! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/wVyyRTNdEN
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
Turnovers have been an issue for both teams through 24 minutes of play. Detroit tallies 11 turnovers resulting in 14 points off for Cleveland, while the Cavs have coughed it up 13 times leading to 17 points for the Pistons.
Spida with the steal and the SLAM 😤
Cleveland has cut Detroit’s lead to 3 heading into half 👀 pic.twitter.com/xAuwO9U60B
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) May 16, 2026
Cade Cunningham shines with a game-high 16 points and 5 assists while shooting 6-for-10 from the field, but he ties James Harden (7 pts, 2 ast, 2 stl) for the lead in TOs with 5. Jalen Duren adds 9 points, 6 boards and one block, and Ausar Thompson stuffs the stat sheet with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals.
Cade sinks his 4th three 🎯
He’s got 16 PTS at the break as the Pistons lead by 3 in Game 6! pic.twitter.com/dzDe5EHr1Z
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 8:14 ET
Battling in The Land
In what’s been a sluggish, defensive second quarter, the Pistons are in command with a 54-46 lead with 1:47 remaining before halftime. Cade Cunningham has a game-high 16 points and four made 3s on 6-for-10 shooting.
🎂 A birthday triple! @smerrill05 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/EXDx2RcBS4
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 7:53 ET
Detroit setting the tone
Cade Cunningham is up to 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting with two made 3s, adding 3 assists in 13 minutes to help his Pistons take a 38-27 lead with 9:26 left before halftime.
Cade’s showcasing his skills👏
Handles ✅
Midrange ✅
Three ✅
Pistons lead by 12 in Q2 of Game 6! pic.twitter.com/nV0NlQ7oqV
— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2026
Detroit currently holds a 17-0 advantage in bench scoring, as Caris LeVert (6 pts) and Duncan Robinson (5 pts, 1 3PM) are delivering.
Evan Mobley cleans up the miss with a huge slam 💪
Watch the Prime Vision broadcast of Pistons vs. Cavs on @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/K0114dTdFL
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) May 15, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 7:43 ET
Pistons climb back, grab 2-point lead
Detroit answers Cleveland’s 17-7 stretch with a 10-2 burst to close the opening period, and the Pistons take a 27-25 advantage going to the second quarter.
Caris LeVert (6 pts, 2 3PM), Cade Cunningham (5 pts, 2 ast) and Ausar Thompson (5 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl) are doing work for the East’s No. 1-seeded Pistons.
😳 OOUUUHHHHH this @evanmobley block! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/Bp80e0PAx8
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 15, 2026
The Cavs’ star trio of Evan Mobley (7 pts, 3 reb, 1 blk), Donovan Mitchell (7 pts, 1 reb) and James Harden (7 pts, 2 stl) lead the way, as they’ve each knocked down one 3-pointer.
MAY 15, 2026 / 7:33 ET
Cavs cooking in 1Q
James Harden (7 pts, 2 stl) and Donovan Mitchell (7 pts, 1 3PM) are fueling a 17-7 run to help Cleveland grab a 23-17 advantage over Detroit with 2:27 left in the first quarter.
James for 2 (at the shot clock buzzer)! @JHarden13 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/MkgGy0yQeA
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 15, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 7:26 ET
Harden enters top-10 all-time
James Harden passes Stephen Curry to move into 10th place on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list.
Congrats to @JHarden13 of the @cavs for moving up to 10th on the all-time playoff SCORING list!
NBA Playoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/Q3MhHxqG27
— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 7:24 ET
Pistons-Cavs underway on Prime
Detroit and Cleveland are tied at 12 midway through the opening quarter on Prime Video!
Daniss with the bullseye to Ausar 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ZYmu117Y5Z
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 15, 2026
Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson power the Pistons with 5 points apiece, while James Harden leads the Cavaliers with 5 points and 2 steals.
James for 2! @JHarden13 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/5NrBbD1tVZ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 15, 2026
MAY 15, 2026 / 6:50 ET
Detroit Pistons:
- PG – Cade Cunningham (26.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 8.4 apg, 1.4 spg)
- SG – Daniss Jenkins (9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.0 spg)
- SF – Ausar Thompson (8.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.6 spg, 1.2 bpg)
- PF – Tobias Harris (18.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.4 spg)
- C – Jalen Duren (9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.0 spg)
Duncan Robinson (lower back) will suit up for the Pistons tonight after missing Game 5, but he’ll be deployed in a sixth man role similar to how the Cavs’ Max Strus operates.
Keep an eye on Paul Reed after he played over Duren in the fourth quarter and overtime in Game 5. “B-ball Paul” has three straight outings with 10+ points on a combined 15-for-20 shooting.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
- PG – James Harden (21.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 6.8 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.2 bpg)
- SG – Donovan Mitchell (30.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.8 apg)
- SF – Dean Wade (3.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
- PF – Evan Mobley (14.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.4 spg, 3.0 bpg)
- C – Jarrett Allen (13.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg)
The Cavs like to use Wade in their first unit as the initial and primary defender on Cade Cunningham, similar to how the Orlando Magic guarded the MVP candidate with Franz Wagner before going out with injury in their first-round series.
Expect Max Strus (20 pts, 6 3PM) and Dennis Schröder (5 pts, 5 ast) to again play pivotal roles for Cleveland’s bench brigade following their impactful performances in Game 5.
MAY 15, 2026 / 6:15 ET
Tonight’s injury report
DET @ CLE — Kevin Huerter (adductor), Caris LeVert (heel) and Duncan Robinson (lower back) are all available to play for the Pistons.
SAS @ MIN — Terrence Shannon Jr. (head contusion) is questionable to suit up for the Timberwolves.
