Spurs seize control of Western Conference series with dominant victory over Timberwolves

The San Antonio Spurs have moved within one victory of the NBA Western Conference finals after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 on Tuesday. The win shifts the momentum of the best-of-seven series, giving San Antonio a 3-2 advantage and placing them on the brink of advancement. Game six is scheduled to take place in Minneapolis on Friday, where the Timberwolves will look to force a decisive seventh game.

Victor Wembanyama atoned for his first career ejection with a commanding performance, finishing with 27 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks. The centre returned to the court after being ejected early in the second quarter of Sunday’s Game 4 in Minneapolis, where he received a flagrant foul 2 for elbowing Naz Reid in the throat. Tensions had escalated during that contest, with Reid later receiving a technical foul for pushing Wembanyama in the back during a Minnesota free throw.

Wembanyama’s return was immediate and impactful. He scored 18 points in the opening quarter, shooting 6-for-8 from the field and 2-for-3 from three-point range. His energy was evident as he ran untouched to the rim for an emphatic windmill dunk after getting tangled up with Jaden McDaniels in the first quarter. The Spurs established an 18-point lead by halftime, capitalising on Minnesota’s struggles to contain the 7-foot-4 post, including tipping away three attempted alley-oop passes.

While Wembanyama’s individual output was significant, the Spurs’ victory was underpinned by a balanced offensive attack. Six players scored in double figures for San Antonio, including Keldon Johnson, who contributed 21 points, De'Aaron Fox with 18 points, and Stephon Castle with 17 points. This collective effort allowed the Spurs to maintain control even when Minnesota attempted to mount a comeback.

The Timberwolves opened the third quarter on a 14-2 run to narrow the deficit, but the Spurs regained a double-digit lead following a block by Keldon Johnson on Rudy Gobert’s attempted dunk. Johnson followed up with a short jumper after bodying Anthony Edwards under the rim. Edwards, who was limited to eight points in the first half, finished with 20 for Minnesota, while Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels added 17 points apiece.

The victory marks a critical turning point for San Antonio, who had trailed the series 2-3 prior to Tuesday’s game. The team had won the first two games in San Antonio before losing the next three in Minneapolis. Wembanyama acknowledged the importance of the win while emphasising that the series was not yet concluded.

"We did what we were supposed to do at home," Wembanyama told NBC. "We had to set the tone, we knew we had to come out strong."

The Spurs are now positioned to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals if they secure the series victory in Game 6.