Wembanyama Stars Again as Spurs Defeat Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS — Victor Wembanyama had a stunning performance, scoring 39 points and snagging 15 rebounds, while also providing standout defense, guiding the San Antonio Spurs to a 115-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. This victory puts the Spurs ahead 2-1 in their NBA playoff series.
Wembanyama shot an impressive 13-of-18 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line, adding five blocks. The Spurs managed to secure this win despite losing an early lead at home, marking their second consecutive victory.
“It felt like we were just keeping everything together. We had the lead, so there was no need to rush. Consistency was key,” Wembanyama mentioned.
De’Aaron Fox contributed 17 points, while Stephon Castle made a notable impact with 13 points and 12 assists, leading the team with a plus-minus of 17.
On the Timberwolves’ side, Anthony Edwards delivered 32 points and collected 14 rebounds, and Naz Reid added 18 points and nine rebounds. However, the Timberwolves struggled initially due to their defense, as the Spurs capitalized, hitting 6-of-10 three-pointers in the critical third quarter.
Minnesota will host Game 4 on Sunday, and the series will return to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday.
Jayden McDaniels drew Wembanyama’s fifth foul with just over six minutes remaining, making two free throws that cut the lead to 99-98. Despite the pressure, the Spurs maintained their lead throughout the second half, never trailing by more than a single digit. Wembanyama briefly sat out, but coach Mitch Johnson decided to bring him back in to ensure they used their best player.
“We weren’t going to leave any options unused. If he fouls out, we’ll deal with that later,” Johnson said.
Wembanyama played fearlessly, finishing the fourth quarter with 16 points. A crucial three-pointer from him boosted San Antonio’s lead to six points with just over three minutes left. Despite Naz Reid’s attempts to respond, Wembanyama was quick to grab the rebound when the shot fell short.
Meanwhile, Edwards, who had just returned after a knee injury, demonstrated his resilience by scoring 22 points in the first half. He helpfully brought the team back from an early deficit.
“We needed this performance from him, and the timing couldn’t have been better. It’s unfortunate the result didn’t follow suit,” Coach Chris Finch remarked.
The Timberwolves faced a rocky start, missing their first 12 shots and not getting on the scoreboard until Rudy Gobert’s putback with under seven minutes left in the first half. Despite this, they improved defensively, which allowed them to recover some momentum.
Edwards managed to land a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the first quarter, and McDaniels made a three just before halftime, sending them into the break tied at 51.
McDaniels and Julius Randle struggled against Wembanyama’s defense, resulting in poor shooting efforts from both, as they combined for just 8-for-34 from the field.
“I told the guys in the locker room we had plenty of good looks. If we knock those down, we could’ve turned this game around,” Edwards reflected.
