Victor Wembanyama delivered the finest playoff performance of his young career, and the San Antonio Spurs desperately needed it. They secured a 115-108 victory in Game 3 on Friday, taking a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Spurs will aim for a 3-1 advantage when they face the Timberwolves again in Game 4 on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET, airing on NBC and Peacock.
Wembanyama exploded for 39 points on 13-of-18 shooting, adding 15 rebounds and 5 blocks. This easily stands as his best postseason showing in seven career playoff games. Before Friday, only three players in NBA history had recorded at least 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks in a single playoff contest: Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The Spurs started strong, racing out to an 18-3 run to silence the Target Center crowd. However, the Timberwolves answered with a 19-5 surge to close the first quarter, turning the game into a hard-fought battle. Minnesota understood the challenge: they had to prevent San Antonio from getting comfortable, challenge Wembanyama every time he touched the ball, and pressure the Spurs’ ball handlers constantly. Despite a physical contest, the officials called a combined 48 fouls on both teams.
The Spurs survived thanks to their own tenacity and Wembanyama’s heroics down the stretch. Stephon Castle contributed 13 points and 12 assists, and he engaged in a shoving match with Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels in the third quarter. There was also tension between Minnesota head coach Chris Finch and crew chief Tony Brothers, which Finch later described as “completely unprofessional.”
For the Timberwolves, there is a silver lining: Anthony Edwards appears nearly fully recovered from a knee injury that threatened his availability for this series. Making his first start in Game 3, Edwards posted a team-high 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists in 41 minutes. Still, based on Wembanyama’s dominance, Minnesota may need even more from Edwards to keep this series alive.
