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Spurs Blast Wolves 126-97, Wembanyama Posts Historic Stat Line

5/13/2026

Summary

Wembanyama Leads Spurs

The Spurs beat the Timberwolves 126-97 in Game 5, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Victor Wembanyama posted 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks, becoming the eighth player in NBA playoff history with that stat line, while Minnesota shot 38.6% overall and made 9 of 33 three-pointers.
Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, at 8:30 p.m. EST in Minneapolis’ Target Center, a must-win for the Timberwolves.

Summary

Spurs Bench Victory

Coach Mitch Johnson called Timberwolves’ tactics “disgusting,” praised Spurs’ maturity after Victor Wembanyama’s return, and said bench depth, highlighted by Keldon Johnson’s 21 points, secured the win.
Rookie Dylan Harper, cleared from a “questionable” injury, contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Spurs are 4-1 all-time against the Thunder, giving them a psychological edge.
The Thunder entered the playoffs unbeaten at 8-0 after sweeping the Lakers in the second round.

Summary

Spurs Project Over

SportsLine's simulation model projected 222 points, backing the over at 218.5 in 55 % of runs and favoring San Antonio by 10.5 points.
NBC's broadcast featured Mike Tirico, analysts Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford, and courtside reporter Zora Stephenson.
Peacock's NBA Showtime pre-game began at 6 p.m. CT with Maria Taylor, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
KFAN-FM 100.3 aired the radio call, led by Alan Horton and Jim Petersen.

Summary

Wembanyama Fuels Spurs

Victor Wembanyama’s Flagrant-2 ejection in Game 4 lingered into Game 5, prompting early aggression and heightened Spurs defensive intensity.
Jaden McDaniels’ early third-quarter foul forced him to the bench, weakening Minnesota’s perimeter defense and contributing to a 30-12 halftime scoring gap.
San Antonio exploited the Wolves’ foul-induced lapses with fast-break buckets and second-chance points, preventing Minnesota from sustaining momentum.

History

Historical Context

The Spurs’ first NBA title came in the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, when a 37-13 record led them past the Timberwolves in the first round and a 4-1 Finals win over the Knicks, making the former ABA team the league’s inaugural champion from that lineage. That 1999 upset is echoed in 2024, as San Antonio again faces Minnesota, seeking to repeat the historic momentum.

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Wembanyama Leads Spurs

The Spurs beat the Timberwolves 126-97 in Game 5, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Victor Wembanyama posted 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks, becoming the eighth player in NBA playoff history with that stat line, while Minnesota shot 38.6% overall and made 9 of 33 three-pointers.
Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, at 8:30 p.m. EST in Minneapolis’ Target Center, a must-win for the Timberwolves.

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