NBA: Victor Wembanyama returns in big way, Spurs take series lead on Wolves

Victor Wembanyama scored 27 points, including 18 in a blazing first quarter, and pulled down 17 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 on Tuesday night, giving the Spurs a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.

Game 6 of the best-of-seven series is set for Friday in Minneapolis, with a potential Game 7 returning to San Antonio on Sunday.

Wembanyama returned to the court after being ejected in the second quarter of Game 4, when he connected on an elbow to the face of Naz Reid, resulting in a flagrant 2 foul and automatic ejection.

“Very, very much,” Wembanyama said when asked how eager he was to return for Game 5. “I was feeling fresh, good. But honestly, it’s hard to tell if it was just getting fired up. Obviously, I had butterflies, but excitement is normal.”

The Spurs led by as many as 18 in the second quarter before cooling off late, settling for a 12-point lead at halftime. Minnesota rallied to tie the game at 61-all four minutes into the third quarter, but San Antonio responded with 30 of the final 42 points of the period, carrying a 91-73 advantage into the fourth quarter.

“We went away from what was working, and then defense just crumbled,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “In the last six minutes of the third quarter, a lot of it was ball containment. Offensively, we found what was working, then started breaking off plays. That’s on me to get us back on track.”

The Spurs extended the lead to 20 early in the fourth quarter. Minnesota briefly closed the gap with an 8-0 run to 93-81 with 9:34 remaining but never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Keldon Johnson added 21 points off the bench for San Antonio, while De’Aaron Fox scored 18, Stephon Castle had 17, and Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper contributed 12 points each. Harper also grabbed 10 rebounds.

“We played with the right fear, discipline, execution, physicality, and poise,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “We needed everybody tonight because different guys stepped up at different moments.”

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 20 points, while Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle added 17 apiece. Ayo Dosunmu scored 16, and Naz Reid finished with 12.

Wembanyama dominated early, scoring 16 of the Spurs’ first 24 points as San Antonio surged to a 24-9 lead at the 6:17 mark of the first quarter. Minnesota weathered the early storm, cutting the deficit to 34-30 after the first period.

“We knew it was going to be physical, so keeping them off the offensive glass was key,” Castle said. “We started the game well, and that’s where our runs came from. They’re a good team, so they’ll go on runs too.”

San Antonio opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run, highlighted by a three-point play from Castle, increasing their lead to 43-30. The Spurs built the margin to 58-40 after a Wembanyama alley-oop dunk with 3:24 remaining in the half but missed their final eight shots of the period, allowing Minnesota to trim the lead to 59-47 at halftime.

Wembanyama already had a double-double by the break with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Fox added 12 points before halftime.

“I’d describe Wembanyama’s performance as mature,” Coach Johnson said. “A lot happened over the last 48 hours, and he played in multiple ways, showing composure and leadership on both ends of the court.”

Minnesota started the third quarter with a 14-2 run to tie the game at 61-all.

“I don’t see anyone in our locker room worried,” Edwards said. “It’s just another basketball game. You suit up and get ready to work.” -Field Level Media/Reuters