Victor Wembanyama bagged 22 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-103, to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, where they will face the New York Knicks.
San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson had called on Wembanyama to score more than 20 points after a disappointing showing in game five.
An inspired 28-point haul by the 22-year-old Frenchman helped level the best-of-seven series at 3-all and save his "childhood dream", which is now within touching distance.
Wembanyama says winning the NBA championship trophy is a childhood dream, and having a real shot at it, having a tangible chance at winning it, is a lifetime chance.
Johnson's side last won the NBA showpiece in 2014, while the Knicks will compete in the finals for the first time in 27 years.
It will be a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals, which San Antonio won in five games for their first of five NBA championships.
Having scored 41 points in game one and 33 points in game four, the number one pick in the 2023 draft showed in the deciding two matches why he was one of the most coveted picks since LeBron James in 2003.
The NBA Finals series will begin on 3rd June, with a possible game seven finale on 19th June.
Source: BBC Sports
