The San Antonio Spurs secured a pivotal 126-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, taking a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series. The win came in Game 5, the crucial “Tianwangshan” matchup, with both teams tied 2-2 beforehand.
Victor Wembanyama, returning after an ejection in Game 4 for a flagrant foul, delivered a dominant performance: 27 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, posting a plus-minus of +24. His impact was immediate, scoring 18 points on 8-of-6 shooting in the first quarter alone, giving the Spurs a 34-30 lead. San Antonio controlled the game from there, building a 91-73 advantage by the end of the third quarter.
The Timberwolves struggled to contain Wembanyama, who was also a force on defense. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 20 points, while Julius Randle added 17 points and 10 rebounds on 6-of-17 shooting. Jaden McDaniels contributed 17 points but was visibly frustrated, receiving his fifth foul and tossing a towel in anger.
With the Spurs leading comfortably late, both teams emptied their benches. Keldon Johnson scored 21 points for San Antonio, and De’Aaron Fox chipped in 18. The Timberwolves, now facing elimination, will need to regroup quickly.
In other conference news, the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder both swept their first-round series (against the 76ers and Lakers, respectively). The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are tied 2-2, with the Cavaliers gaining momentum, thanks to the growing chemistry between Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. As the Spurs hold a 3-2 lead with home-court advantage, they appear poised to advance, particularly with Wembanyama’s presence proving a game-changer.