NBA: Victor Wembanyama Responds After Ejection, Brings Spurs to Western Finals Brink (126-97) [3-2]

SAN ANTONIO. The San Antonio Spurs responded with authority after the series was tied and defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs. Victor Wembanyama delivered another dominant performance with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in his return following the controversial ejection in Game 4.

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The French star responded emphatically after the flagrant foul type 2 he received in Minneapolis and led a collective exhibition by the Spurs, who are now just one victory away from facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

At just 22 years old, Victor Wembanyama became the third-youngest player in NBA history to record at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in a playoff game, behind only Magic Johnson and Luka Dončić.

San Antonio Spurs came out completely locked in from the opening tip and set the physical tone of the game from the first minute. Wembanyama was absolutely dominant throughout the first quarter and continuously punished the interior defense of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Frenchman scored 18 points in the opening period after shooting 6 of 8 from the field and converting two three-pointers, quickly unleashing the euphoria of the Frost Bank Center.

Minnesota struggled once again to contain the physical and defensive impact of San Antonio. Anthony Edwards, closely guarded throughout the first half, was limited to just eight points before halftime. Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels added 17 points each, but never found enough offensive continuity.

The physical tension of the series became evident once again during the second quarter. Naz Reid received a technical foul after pushing Wembanyama from behind during a Minnesota free throw, in another episode of the physical battle the two have been engaged in since the Game 4 incident.

Far from negatively affecting the Frenchman, the contact seemed to activate Victor Wembanyama even more, as he continued to dominate both sides of the floor and helped the Spurs reach leads close to 20 points during the first half.

Minnesota Timberwolves responded after halftime and found their best stretch of the game at the start of the third quarter. Chris Finch's team opened the second half with a 14-2 run and managed to tie the game at 61 points, taking advantage of several San Antonio turnovers and blocking three consecutive alley-oop attempts directed toward Wembanyama.

However, the visitors' comeback was short-lived.

San Antonio Spurs immediately responded by regaining physical and defensive control of the game. Keldon Johnson was involved in one of the key plays of the game with a block on Rudy Gobert on an attempted dunk, before later scoring a short shot after overpowering Anthony Edwards near the basket.

That stretch completely broke open the game. The Spurs quickly regained double-digit leads and continuously punished Minnesota's defensive lapses, especially in the final minutes of the third quarter.

Keldon Johnson finished with 21 points, while De'Aaron Fox contributed 18 and Stephon Castle added another 17 in another solid performance from the young Texas perimeter core.

San Antonio's defense was once again one of the keys to victory. The Spurs held Minnesota Timberwolves below 100 points for the fifth time in their ten playoff games so far.

Anthony Edwards finished with 20 points, but never found continuity or offensive comfort against the Texas defensive pressure.

With this victory, San Antonio Spurs takes a 3-2 series lead and will have the opportunity to close out the series this Friday in Minneapolis. Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, finds itself on the brink of elimination and will need to respond immediately to force a Game 7.