G6 a completely different player! Wemby: I'll seek more advice from veterans for Game 7; the robe before the game was not a tribute to Shaolin.

On May 29th Beijing time, Victor Wembanyama in Game 6 was unrecognizable from start to finish. The Spurs star entered the home court in a Shaolin-style robe, evoking memories of his trip to a Chinese temple last summer when he aimed to strengthen his body and cultivate his mind. With his neat new hairstyle, his dedication was clear. However, he clarified after the game that the outfit was not a tribute to Shaolin, but rather a celebration of the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha.

After the game, Spurs guard Devin Vassell told NBA TV: "I saw his picture before the game, and at that moment I knew he was fully locked in."

Sure enough, Wembanyama returned to his dominant form once he stepped on the court.

This was the first elimination game of his career. Before the game, he gave an unusually passionate motivational speech to the whole team, and he played with composure throughout. He logged 28 minutes, shooting 10-of-21 for 28 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 assists, leading the Spurs to a 118-91 blowout win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, tying the Western Conference Finals at 3-3.

Wembanyama said: "We were consistent throughout the game and got the job done."

Game 7 will be played on Sunday at the Thunder's home arena. In the first game of this Western Conference Finals, Wembanyama put up a monstrous 41 points and 24 rebounds here, leading the team to a double-overtime win. If they win again on Sunday, the Spurs will advance to the Finals to face the New York Knicks.

From the very beginning of Game 6, Wembanyama controlled the tempo. After winning the jump ball, he hit a three-pointer, blocked a shot, and then drained another three. That set the tone, and the team never trailed the rest of the way.

This was a stark contrast to Game 5, where he shot just 4-of-15 for only 20 points.

Asked about the biggest difference in his star player between the two games, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said: "I think it's his overall activity level on the court. In my view, it comes down to his fight and determination. He was intent on making his presence felt and taking over the game."

The game was decided early, allowing Wembanyama to rest for most of the fourth quarter. Even though Game 6 had just ended, he was clearly already thinking about Game 7. Harrison Barnes, the third-most veteran on the team, kept talking to him on the bench in the fourth quarter, sharing insights and experience.

Barnes spoke calmly while Wembanyama nodded frequently, the meaning of the words clear without being said. When asked what he would prioritize in preparing for Game 7, Wembanyama replied: "Listen more to the advice of those who have been through it, whether it's teammates, the coaching staff, or veterans inside and outside the league."

In the post-game press conference, Wembanyama explained in French that the robe he wore was not a tribute to his Shaolin trip, but rather to celebrate the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.A reporter on site also took the opportunity to ask whether, now that the team has reached this point, he would reflect on the journey so far.

His answer was blunt: "No. Right now I have no intention of thinking about that at all."

The pattern of this series held true again in Game 6: when Wembanyama plays dominantly, the Spurs win; when he struggles, they lose. Being merely average is not enough. In the three losses, he averaged 22.3 points on 43% shooting; in the three wins, he averaged 34 points on 51% shooting.

Coach Johnson said: "He's not perfect, and sometimes we need to share the load for him. He's only 22, but he's passionate, comfortable being in the spotlight, and willingly takes on responsibility and pressure. No matter the result or how the game goes, he handles it with composure. I don't need to say more about that."