Spurs blow out Timberwolves 126-97 in Game 5 behind Victor Wembanyama’s 27-point, 17-rebound double-double [VIDEO]

San Antonio takes 3-2 series lead after Wembanyama returns from ejection with playoff career-high rebounding night

Victor Wembanyama returned from his Game 4 ejection and put up a playoff career-high 17 rebounds to go with 27 points as the Spurs blasted the Timberwolves 126-97 on Tuesday night. The victory gives San Antonio a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Wembanyama scored 21 of his points in the first half, including 16 in the first six minutes of the game, and finished with 5 assists and 3 blocks in 32 minutes. Keldon Johnson added 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting off the bench, and Stephon Castle contributed 17 points and 6 assists.

The Spurs outscored Minnesota 68-36 in the paint and 44-23 in bench points. Thus, turning a competitive first quarter into a blowout by halftime. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday night in Minneapolis.

Wemby Dominated Early After Missing Game 4’s Second Half

Victor Wembanyama was ejected in the second quarter of Game 4 on May 10 for a Flagrant 2 foul after his elbow caught Naz Reid in the head. The Spurs lost that game 114-109 without him. As a result, tying the series at 2-2. No suspension was issued, and he returned to the lineup for Game 5 without restrictions.

He wasted no time making his presence felt. Wemby scored 18 points in the first quarter alone on 6-of-8 shooting, including two three-pointers, and grabbed 6 rebounds during the opening 12 minutes. He sparked a 12-2 run over three minutes where he contributed 9 points and 4 rebounds, helping the Spurs build a 34-30 lead after one.

The 22-year-old added three more points in the second quarter to reach 21 at the break. His first-half stat line included 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, and he drew two fouls on Reid that sent the Timberwolves forward to the bench with three personals before halftime.

Spurs Built Halftime Lead and Never Let Minnesota Back In

San Antonio extended its lead in the second quarter behind a balanced attack that limited Anthony Edwards to just three points in the opening half. The Spurs outscored the Timberwolves 25-17 in the period, building a 59-47 halftime lead while holding Minnesota to 38.6 percent shooting from the field.

The Timberwolves made a push early in the third quarter, going on a 14-2 run that tied the game at 61. Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu keyed the spurt, with McDaniels hitting a three-pointer and Dosunmu converting a steal into a fast-break layup. But the Spurs responded with defensive pressure and interior scoring, outscoring Minnesota by 10 over the final six minutes of the quarter.

San Antonio carried a 91-73 lead into the fourth quarter and never let the Timberwolves get closer than 16 points the rest of the way. The Spurs outscored Minnesota 35-24 in the final period, pushing the margin to as many as 30 points before settling on the 29-point final.

San Antonio’s Bench Scoring Domination Minnesota’s Reserves

Keldon Johnson led a Spurs bench unit that provided significant production while Minnesota’s reserves struggled to generate offense. Johnson scored 21 points in 22 minutes, hitting 8-of-11 shots and adding 4 rebounds. Devin Vassell chipped in 12 points, and rookie Dylan Harper recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Timberwolves’ bench managed just 23 points combined, with Naz Reid scoring 12 of those on 4-of-10 shooting. Terrence Shannon Jr. went scoreless from the field on 0-of-5 shooting, and no other Minnesota reserve scored more than 3 points. The disparity in bench production proved critical as the Spurs built and maintained their lead.

De’Aaron Fox, listed as questionable entering the game with an ankle injury, started and played 34 minutes, finishing with 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. He shot 5-of-5 from the free-throw line and committed only one turnover while running the offense effectively alongside Castle.

Ant-Man Rendered Powerless and Obsolete as Timberwolves’ Offense Stalled

Anthony Edwards, who scored 36 points in Game 4 including 16 in the fourth quarter, was limited to 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting in Game 5. He attempted only three three-pointers, making one, and scored most of his points from the free-throw line where he went 7-of-7. Edwards also committed four turnovers in 39 minutes.

Julius Randle added 17 points and 10 rebounds but shot just 6-of-17 from the field and missed all four of his three-point attempts. Jaden McDaniels also scored 17 points but picked up five fouls in 29 minutes, limiting his defensive effectiveness against Wembanyama and the Spurs’ wings.

Minnesota shot 38.6 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from three-point range, well below its season averages. The Timberwolves managed only 36 points in the paint compared to San Antonio’s 68, and their 17 assists were eight fewer than the Spurs’ 25. Rudy Gobert played just 22 minutes and finished with 4 points and 5 rebounds.

Social Media Reacts to Wembanyama’s Statement Game After Ejection

The X post announcing the Spurs’ victory generated significant engagement, with users noting Wembanyama’s response to his Game 4 ejection. One user wrote: “Flagrant 2 to 27 and 17 in 48 hours. He took that personally.” Another posted: “People really thought not having him for a half meant something. He came back and put the league on notice.”

Others focused on the Spurs’ overall team performance. “Keldon Johnson off the bench is a cheat code,” one comment read. “Harper with a double-double as a rookie in the playoffs. This team is different.” A third user added: “Minnesota had no answer for the size and depth. That game was over by halftime.”

Some Timberwolves fans expressed frustration with the series swing. “Edwards can’t do it alone when Gobert disappears and the bench gives nothing,” one reply stated. Another wrote: “Home court has meant everything in this series. Now we have to win two straight. Not feeling great about it.”

Spurs One Win Away From Western Conference Finals

San Antonio now leads the series 3-2 and can close out the Timberwolves on Friday night in Minneapolis. The Spurs have won both home games in the series by an average margin of 28.5 points, while Minnesota has won both games at Target Center by a combined 11 points.

Game 6 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on May 15. If the Timberwolves force a Game 7, it would be played Sunday in San Antonio. Minnesota must win two straight to advance, while the Spurs need just one victory to reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2017, where the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder await them.

Wembanyama’s playoff career-high rebounding night and the Spurs’ balanced scoring have shifted momentum firmly in San Antonio’s favor. The Timberwolves will need a response on their home floor to keep their season alive.

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