Spurs and Knicks advance in NBA Playoffs as injury concerns mount for key stars
Dominant performances from Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson drove their respective teams to victory, yet the absence of Joel Embiid and the potential exit of OG Anunoby cast a shadow over the weekend's results.
The San Antonio Spurs have levelled their Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves at one game apiece following a decisive 133-95 victory. The second-seeded Spurs overwhelmed the sixth-seeded Timberwolves, building a lead as high as 47 points before cruising to the finish. This result ends a significant 49-game stretch in which San Antonio had not lost two consecutive contests since mid-January.
Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle were instrumental in the Spurs' dominance, with Wembanyama recording 19 points and 15 rebounds while Castle led the team with 21 points. The victory marks a tactical shift for the hosts, who have not lost back-to-back games since January 11. Wembanyama noted the team's increased intensity in crashing offensive boards and passing to open men, suggesting a system that has begun to gel effectively against experienced opposition.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 to take a 2-0 series lead. The contest was highly competitive, featuring 25 lead changes and 14 ties, the highest number of lead changes in a playoff fixture since 2015. Jalen Brunson scored 26 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, to help New York secure the win. Mikal Bridges also contributed significantly with 18 points, while the Knicks ended the game on a 12-3 run to capitalise on Philadelphia's struggles in the final frame.
However, the victory for New York comes with significant uncertainty regarding their roster availability for Game 3. OG Anunoby exited the contest with 2:31 remaining due to a right leg injury, and Knicks coach Mike Brown confirmed he has not yet spoken to medical staff regarding the extent of the injury. Anunoby had previously recorded 24 points in the game, making his potential absence a major concern for the series.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, the loss was compounded by the absence of star centre Joel Embiid, who missed the game due to ankle and hip injuries. Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points for the Sixers, but the team struggled in the fourth quarter, managing only 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting. Sixers coach Nick Nurse acknowledged the difficulty of facing a team that has won five straight games, noting that the 2-0 deficit places a heavy burden on the upcoming fixtures.
The next scheduled games are set for Friday, with the Spurs hosting the Timberwolves in Minneapolis and the Knicks travelling to Philadelphia for Game 3. The outcome of these matches will determine whether the Spurs can extend their winning streak and if the Knicks can maintain their momentum despite the potential loss of key personnel.
