Spurs beat Warriors to advance to Western Conference Finals

Sean Highkin | USA TODAY Sports

For the eighth time in his career, Tim Duncan is headed to the Western Conference Finals. The San Antonio Spurs eliminated the Golden State Warriors with a 94-82 win at Oracle Arena on Thursday, and will face the Memphis Grizzlies beginning on Sunday.

"It's going to be a rough one," Duncan said about the conference finals. "If you thought this was physical, it's going to turn up about 10 notches."

Duncan scored 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, leading the way for San Antonio. He did not play as the Warriors rallied to cut the lead to three late in the fourth quarter. A three-pointer by Tony Parker effectively ended the rally.

"I think everybody on the team, we all want to go one more time," Parker said of a potential trip to the NBA Finals. "It's been a long time."

Near the end of the second quarter, Warriors forward Harrison Barnes sustained a head injury and took several minutes to stand up and leave the locker room. He returned to play all 12 minutes of the third quarter, but left during the fourth with headache symptoms. He finished with 9 points and 4 rebounds.

Stephen Curry had another off shooting night, scoring 22 points on 10-of-25 shooting and connecting on just 2-of-8 from three-point range.

"It's inspiring to think of what we were able to accomplish this year and the foundation that has been laid," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said.

The Spurs face the Grizzlies in San Antonio for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. Memphis eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. The game will air on ABC.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.