San Antonio Spurs rout Minnesota Timberwolves to level playoff series
Victor Wembanyama recorded a dominant double-double as the San Antonio Spurs thrashed the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-95 on Wednesday to level their Western Conference semifinal.
The 38-point demolition marks the heaviest postseason defeat in the Minnesota franchise’s history.
San Antonio responded emphatically to their series-opening loss, racing to a commanding 29-point advantage by half-time.
Wembanyama and Fox set the tone
The French phenom amassed 19 points and 15 rebounds, attacking the offensive glass aggressively from the opening tip-off.
He was superbly supported by De’Aaron Fox, with the dynamic guard contributing 16 points to the blowout victory.
The All-Star duo scored the team’s first 11 points, combining to shoot an efficient 12-of-25 from the field after struggling offensively in Game 1.
Stephon Castle top-scored for the home side with 21 points, while rookies Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper also provided highlight-reel dunks during a blistering second-quarter run.
Timberwolves struggle amid Edwards injury
Minnesota endured a dismal opening period, managing a mere 35 points before the break while shooting just 29.8% from the floor.
Talisman Anthony Edwards was restricted to 12 points off the bench as he continues his recovery from a hyperextended left knee.
Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, and Terrence Shannon Jr also finished with 12 points apiece during a forgettable night for the visitors.
The magnitude of the defeat surpassed Minnesota’s previous playoff low, a 30-point drubbing against the Los Angeles Lakers in April 2003.
Spurs showcase historic offensive firepower
San Antonio’s fluid offense yielded 50% shooting from the field and an impressive 41% success rate from beyond the three-point arc.
The 133-point haul represents their highest-scoring playoff performance since a 145-105 series-clinching win over the Denver Nuggets in May 1983.
The Texas franchise have now avoided consecutive defeats since a mid-January road trip, showcasing remarkable consistency.
The Western Conference semifinal now shifts to Minneapolis, with Game 3 scheduled for Friday evening.