Wembanyama became just the fourth player in NBA Playoff history to record 35 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks in the victory over Minnesota.
SAN ANTONIO — The Western Conference Semifinals between the Spurs and Timberwolves have arrived in Minneapolis tied at one game apiece.
But after the dramatic swing between the first two matchups, it’s fair to wonder which version of this series is the real one.
Game 1 was a grind. Game 2 was a demolition.
Ahead of Friday night’s pivotal Game 3, both the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are searching for consistency in what has quickly become one of the postseason’s most unpredictable matchups.
It’s an important game: In NBA history, the Game 3 winner in a best-of-seven series goes on to advance 73% of the time.
San Antonio responded to its heartbreaking 104-102 loss in the opener with a statement performance Wednesday night, routing the Timberwolves 133-95 for the largest postseason win in franchise history. The bounceback effort showcased exactly why the Spurs finished the regular season with 62 wins and why many around the league believe this young core is ahead of schedule.
But if they want to take the series lead, something will have to give: San Antonio hasn’t won in Minneapolis since October 2022, having lost seven straight regular-season matchups in the City of Lakes.
Read on for live updates from the game.
FINAL: Spurs 115, Timberwolves 108
Wembanyama became just the fourth player in NBA Playoff history to record 35 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks in the victory over Minnesota.
4Q, 1:22 remaining: Spurs 111, Timberwolves 105
Fox makes both of his free-throws in crunch time.
4Q, 2:26 remaining: Spurs 109, Timberwolves 103
Wembanyama began to feel himself from deep as he made his third three 3-pointer of the game to extend San Antonio’s lead.
4Q, 5:09 remaining: Spurs 102, Timberwolves 100
Midway through the 4th quarter, Champagnie hit a three to extent their lead to 4 points before Randle answered with a quick 2.
4Q, 8:23 remaining: Spurs 95, Timberwolves 91
Both teams began to say “anything you can do, I can do better,” as an offensive onslaught from beyond the arc ensued, with Wembanyama hitting his first two of the game during that stretch.
Minnesota started the fourth quarter on a 12-9 run, all with Edwards on the bench.
4Q, 10:30 remaining: Spurs 88, Timberwolves 81
The 4th-quarter scoring began at the line as Wembanyama drained two more free throws after a hard foul to the cup, and Randle sunk another two on the other side.
End of 3Q: Spurs 86, Timberwolves 79
San Antonio ended the third frame on a 7-2 run over the final 1:32 to take a seven-point lead. Five Spurs are in double-digits for points; San Antonio is shooting 45% from the field compared to Minnesota’s 39% mark.
But San Antonio has hit just 17 of 25 free throws, a key difference-maker so far.
3Q, 5:59 remaining: Spurs 72, Timberwolves 68
Both teams are off to hot-shooting starts in the second half, combining to hit 14 of 25 shots through the first six minutes. Among the early third-quarter highlights: a Devin Vassell slam over defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert.
HALFTIME: Spurs 51, Timberwolves 51
De’Aaron Fox has just six points in the first half, but four of them came in the final 50 seconds of the half to put San Antonio up three. But Jaden McDaniels hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the half and bring the Wolves even with the Silver & Black after two quarters.
Victor Wembanyama has 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks to lead San Antonio. Anthony Edwards, starting for the first time this series, has a game-high 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting.
2Q, 2:00 remaining: Spurs 45, Timberwolves 46
San Antonio’s bid to challenge a foul call was unsuccessful. Moments later, Naz Reid hit a trey to give Minnesota the lead once again.
2Q, 6:52 remaining: Spurs 36, Timberwolves 33
The Spurs reclaimed the lead as Wembanyama approached a double-double only halfway through the 2nd quarter with 15 points and 9 rebounds.
Carter Bryant joined the party with a three from the corner to put San Antonio back on top.
2Q, 9:24 remaining: Spurs 27, Timberwolves 29
To start the 2nd quarter, Minnesota took their first lead of the game.
End of 1Q: Spurs 23, Timberwolves 22
The Timberwolves got their toes wet and closed the quarter on a 19-5 run after trailing by as many as 15 points.
The difference? Anthony Edwards coming alive on the offensive side of the floor, ending the quarter with two threes and 13 points total.
1Q, 7:47 remaining: Spurs 11, Timberwolves 1
The Timberwolves couldn’t muster a field goal in the first four minutes of the game as San Antonio started right where they left off from Game 2.
1Q: 8:13 remaining: Spurs 7, Timberwolves 1
Wembanyama scored the first four points, and swatted the first three blocks, all in the first four minutes of Game 3.
Pregame
At 8:21 p.m., the San Antonio Spurs announced their starting five for Game 3:
About 90 minutes before tipoff, the Timberwolves ruled that All-Star Anthony Edwards would be available to play.
The team’s leading scorer in each of the last four seasons, Edwards was previously listed as questionable as he deals with a bone bruise that limited his time on the court in the first two games. He averaged 15 points in those matchups, hitting 12 of his 26 shots from the field. But he was often the most energetic and difficult-to-contain shooter his team had.
Meanwhile, more than 1,200 miles away, Spurs fans flocked to The Rock at La Cantera to cheer on their team from afar. The Silver & Black faithful donned their best San Antonio gear, as they have done so far in the team’s playoff run.