Victor Wembanyama recorded 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 115-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Friday in Minneapolis.
Wembanyama shot 13-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, helping the Spurs take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. De’Aaron Fox contributed 17 points, while Stephon Castle added 13 points and 12 assists.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 32 points and 14 rebounds. Naz Reid came off the bench to score 18 points and grab nine rebounds, and Jaden McDaniels added 17 points.
The teams will meet again for Game 4 on Sunday evening in Minneapolis.
The Timberwolves, who trailed by 15 points in the first quarter, cut the deficit to 106-103 with 3:27 remaining after Reid hit a three-pointer. On the next possession, Wembanyama responded with his third three-pointer of the night. Wembanyama and Dylan Harper each made two free throws in the final minute to secure the win for San Antonio.
The Spurs held an 86-79 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Emotions flared in the third quarter when Harper got tangled with McDaniels and hit his head on the floor while falling. As Harper remained on the court, Castle approached McDaniels, sparking a brief altercation that officials quickly diffused. Both Castle and McDaniels received technical fouls. Harper later returned to the game.
The score was tied 51-51 at halftime.
San Antonio jumped to an 18-3 lead early in the game, with Wembanyama scoring nine of the team’s first 11 points. The Timberwolves struggled, missing their first 13 field goal attempts.
Edwards caught fire as Minnesota closed the first quarter with a 19-5 run to cut the lead to one point. The comeback was capped by Edwards hitting a 31-foot buzzer-beater to pull Minnesota within 23-22.
