Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a 126-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals on Tuesday, May 12, giving the Spurs a 3-2 series lead at home [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Wembanyama scored 27 points and pulled down 17 rebounds in the dominant performance that followed his first career NBA ejection just two days earlier [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Wembanyama was ejected in Game 4 on May 10 after a Flagrant 2 foul for elbowing Timberwolves forward Naz Reid. The Spurs played more than two and a half quarters without him, and Minnesota won 114-109 to even the series at 2-2 [7, 2, 8, 5]. The NBA subsequently announced Wembanyama would face no suspension and was eligible for Game 5 [7, 8].
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised Wembanyama’s maturity after Game 5, saying he handled the recent events "extremely mature" and noted the physicality opponents impose on the rookie who needs to protect himself [7, 1]. Wembanyama said, "I was fresh, feeling good. But honestly, it's hard to tell if it was just getting fired up...excitement is not something abnormal" following his strong Game 5 showing [1].
San Antonio’s bench also contributed, with Keldon Johnson scoring 21 points, De’Aaron Fox 18, Stephon Castle 17, Devin Vassell 12, and Dylan Harper 12 in support of Wembanyama’s standout effort [3, 5]. The Spurs defense held Minnesota to 41.4% shooting overall and 33.3% from 3-point range during the series so far, averaging 8.2 blocks and 9.6 steals per game [2, 9]. Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels were limited by the Spurs defense, shooting 36.6% and 40.5% respectively in the series [2, 9, 5, 6].
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 36 points in Game 4 and has averaged 23.6 points on 50.6% shooting in the series. However, his teammates' struggles against San Antonio’s defense have hampered the Timberwolves [7, 8, 6]. Reid said after Game 4, "It shows how deep we can dig and the toughness that we have. We have a lot more basketball to play. We've been through a lot…That's the experience they talk about" [7]. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch acknowledged defensive lapses in Game 5, saying, "We went away from what was working...defence just cratered. That’s my job. I gotta get us back on track" [3].
The Spurs can clinch a berth in the Western Conference finals by winning Game 6 on Friday, May 15, in Minnesota [2, 9, 6]. Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 in the other Western Conference semifinal and will face the Spurs if San Antonio advances [7, 1, 8].
