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Wembanyama stars to put Spurs on verge of Western final
TL;DR
Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a 126-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting them one win away from the Western Conference final. He scored 27 points, including 18 in the first quarter, becoming the third-youngest player in NBA history to achieve 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a postseason game.
Key points
- Victor Wembanyama scored 27 points in game five
- Spurs lead the series 3-2 against the Timberwolves
- Wembanyama recorded 18 points in the first quarter
- He became the third-youngest player to achieve 25-15-5 in playoffs
- He was ejected in the previous game but not suspended
Victor WembanyamaSan Antonio SpursMinnesota TimberwolvesOklahoma City Thunder
Victor Wembanyama became the third-youngest player in NBA history to record 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a post-season game [Getty Images]
Victor Wembanyama starred as the San Antonio Spurs moved to within one win of a Western Conference final against the Oklahoma City Thunder by taking a 3-2 lead against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wembanyama scored 27 points - including 18 in the first quarter - to lead the Spurs to a 126-97 victory in game five of the best-of-seven series.
His display came after the 22-year-old was ejected for the first time in his NBA career in the previous game for elbowing an opponent, although he did not receive a suspension.
Victory in game six for the Spurs in Minneapolis on Friday would set up a showdown with the Thunder - the reigning NBA champions - who completed a 4-0 sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers.
On whether he was anxious about returning for game five, Wembanyama said: "Very, very much. I mean, I was fresh, feeling good. But honestly, it's hard to tell if it was just getting fired up.
"Obviously, I'm going to be excited with butterflies, you know. So excitement is not something abnormal."
Asked about Wembanyama, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said: "The one word I'd like to use [is] just mature.
"There's a lot that's happened in the last 48 hours, in the last game, and I think how that young man came out tonight and played in a variety of ways, in a variety of situations, was extremely mature."
The Spurs allowed an 18-point second-quarter lead to slip as Minnesota levelled the game at 61-61 four minutes into the third quarter.
Q&A
What record did Victor Wembanyama achieve in the playoff game?
Victor Wembanyama became the third-youngest player in NBA history to record 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a postseason game.
How did the Spurs perform in their playoff series against the Timberwolves?
The Spurs took a 3-2 lead in the series against the Timberwolves after their 126-97 victory in game five.
What happened to Wembanyama in the previous game before this victory?
In the previous game, Victor Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his NBA career for elbowing an opponent, but he did not receive a suspension.
