Victor Wembanyama delivered another playoff performance that transcended the box score, pushing the San Antonio Spurs within two wins of the Western Conference finals.
The 22-year-old star dominated both ends of the floor Friday night at Target Center, recording 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks as the Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-108 to seize a 2-1 lead in the second-round series.
Wembanyama shot an efficient 13-of-18 from the field and frequently disrupted Minnesota’s offensive sets before they could develop. While his official block count was five, his impact extended far beyond that—Timberwolves players consistently avoided attacking the paint or settled for contested shots around him.
The Spurs needed every bit of that production after Minnesota recovered from a disastrous start. The Timberwolves missed their first 12 field goal attempts and fell behind 18-3, but Anthony Edwards sparked a comeback with another explosive postseason showing.
Edwards finished with 32 points and 14 rebounds, playing through a hyperextended left knee that briefly sidelined him earlier in the playoffs. He poured in 22 points in the first half, including a buzzer-beating 31-footer at the end of the first quarter that ignited the home crowd.
Minnesota tied the game at 51 entering halftime after Jaden McDaniels drilled a three at the buzzer, and the Wolves continued to push in the second half despite struggling against San Antonio’s size and rim protection.
The defining sequence came midway through the fourth quarter when McDaniels drew Wembanyama’s fifth foul, cutting the deficit to 99-98 with 6:18 remaining. For a moment, the game appeared ready to swing in Minnesota’s favor.
Instead
