Wemby matches Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq with his superb stat line for Spurs in Game 3 win over Wolves

TL;DR

Victor Wembanyama scored 39 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and blocked five shots in the Spurs' 115-108 win over the Timberwolves, giving San Antonio a 2-1 lead in the NBA playoff series. He became the fourth player in NBA history to achieve at least 35 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in a playoff game.

Key points

Wembanyama scored 39 points and had 15 rebounds
He blocked five shots in the game
Spurs lead the series 2-1 against the Timberwolves
Wembanyama's performance matches NBA legends
He shot over 70% from the field

Mentioned in this story

Kareem Abdul-JabbarHakeem OlajuwonShaquille O'NealMitch JohnsonRudy GobertAyo Dosunmu

NBA playoffsVictor WembanyamaSan Antonio SpursMinnesota Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama plays with an agility and a gracefulness beneath his daunting wingspan that can make his dominance for the San Antonio Spurs on both ends of the floor appear almost effortless. Fresh cuts and bruises on those long arms after fighting for paint position and jockeying for rebounds all night with the Minnesota Timberwolves made clear Wembanyama had to put in plenty of work to compile 39 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in a 115-108 victory in Game 3 on Friday that gave the Spurs a 2-1 lead in their second-round NBA playoff series. “It's going to happen," Wembanyama said. “They're Wolves, after all.” The Spurs stayed unbeaten on the road in this postseason with their first win in a truly close game, after four victories in the first round over the Portland Trail Blazers with margins between 12 and 21 points. “They just continue showing growth,” coach Mitch Johnson said. Starting with Wembanyama. The 22-year-old phenom from France in his first NBA postseason has played in only seven playoff games, but he has wasted no time writing quite a legacy. The only other players in NBA history to hit the 35-point, 15-rebound, five-block thresholds in a playoff game? Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O'Neal. And only Wembanyama has now done it while shooting better than 70% from the floor. The 7-foot-4 star was 13 for 18 — and 10 for 12 from the line. “It’s good to be along with the big fellas,” said Wembanyama, who credited Olajuwon for teaching him a spin fadeaway he sank over his mentor Rudy Gobert during a 16-point fourth quarter. He did that despite picking up his fifth foul with 6:18 left, sitting for only about a minute down the stretch while helping the Spurs pull away each time the Wolves were within one possession. “Just staying calm, getting my senses back,” Wembanyama said. “Our coaches tell us what to do. They give us the recipe, so as long as we stay steady and we trust our process we’re going to be all right.” Wembanyama set an NBA postseason record with 12 blocked shots in the series opener, but he lamented his lack of impact on offense after the 104-102 loss to the Wolves . He stormed out of the gate for Game 2 by immediately asserting his dominance that sparked the Spurs to a 133-95 victory , and the travel north did nothing to stem that. With a pair of effortless slams off lobs , the first one done in reverse, Wembanyama scored the first seven points for the Spurs as they sailed to an 18-3 lead. But he was even more of a force on defense, lurking in the paint and frequently prompting the Wolves to alter their layups and floaters to avoid being swatted. “He's a world-class defender. You’re always aware of him,” Wolves guard said. "Yeah, he’s a gift at that end of the court.” \\_ AP NBA:

Q&A

What records did Victor Wembanyama set in Game 3 against the Timberwolves?

Wembanyama matched the playoff performance of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O'Neal by scoring at least 35 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in a game.

How did the Spurs perform in the playoffs leading up to Game 3?

The Spurs remained unbeaten on the road in the postseason and had previously won all four first-round games against the Portland Trail Blazers by margins between 12 and 21 points.

What was Victor Wembanyama's shooting percentage in Game 3?

Wembanyama shot 72.2% from the floor, making 13 of 18 attempts and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line.

Wemby matches Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq with his superb stat line for Spurs in Game 3 win over Wolves

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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