Wembanyama 27‑point, 17‑rebound game lifts Spurs 3‑2
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- Wembanyama posted 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two 3‑pointers, a first in NBA postseason history since the 1979‑80 season when the three‑point line was introduced.
- Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 126‑97 in Game 5, seizing a 3‑2 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
- Wembanyama returned from a Game 4 ejection and displayed a “mature” approach, limiting Minnesota to seven points on 3‑of‑11 shooting in the first two quarters.
- Spurs opened the game with a 12‑2 run in the first quarter, during which Wembanyama contributed nine points and four rebounds, helping build an early 15‑point lead that later grew to 30.
- Spurs tallied 68 points in the paint, the second‑most in a postseason outing since 1998, while holding Minnesota to 36 paint points.
- Spurs recorded consecutive home playoff victories by 29 or more points for the first time in franchise history.
- Spurs are 16‑3 in best‑of‑seven series when leading 3‑2, according to the article.
Why it matters: The win puts San Antonio one game away from a conference final, extending their series lead to 3‑2 and tapping into a 16‑3 record when ahead at that point, while Minnesota falls behind with a demoralizing 29‑point defeat that erodes their chances of forcing a Game 6.
