Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs handed Minnesota its worst postseason loss in franchise history, beating the Timberwolves 133-95 on Wednesday night to even their Western Conference semifinal series.
“I just told them we got punked,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said.
Stephon Castle had 21 points and De’Aaron Fox added 16 points for San Antonio, which shot 50% from the field and 41% on 3-pointers. It was the highest-scoring playoff game for the Spurs since a series-clinching 145-105 win over Denver on May 4, 1983.
Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each scored 12 points for Minnesota.
Edwards came off the bench again as Minnesota continued to restrict his minutes in his second game back from a hyperextended left knee.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a play during the first half in Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in San Antonio, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)© The Associated Press
Games 3 and 4 are Friday and Sunday in Minneapolis.
With Wembanyama playing more aggressively on offense from the outset, the Spurs put the series-opening loss behind them quickly.
Minnesota’s previous largest postseason defeat was by 30 points to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 29, 2003.
Only the margin of victory was in doubt Monday as both teams sent their starters to the bench with 10 minutes remaining and the Spurs leading 104-66.
“I told the guys after the first game it’s the natural tendency for the team that steals the first game, the away team, to get blown out in Game 2,” Edwards said. “We can’t come out cool and we came out cool and what happened — we got blown out.”
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) is blocked by fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) and guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) during the first half in Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
After combining to score 21 points on 10-for-31 shooting in Game 1, Wembanyama and Fox combined to go 12 of 25 from the field Wednesday.
The All-Star duo scored the Spurs’ first 11 points as they raced to a 29-point lead in the first half.
“Just trying to set the tone,” Wembanyama said.
Fox finished 2 for 2 on 3-pointers after missing on four attempts in Game 1.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) during the first half in Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
“We’re at our best when (Fox is) in attack mode,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnnson said. “He has probably the strongest ripple effect on our team in terms of when he’s in attack mode pushing the pace, because you have Steph (Castle) and Dylan (Harper) that follow suit with that. And then our shooters get shot in transition. Victor plays in space and so on and so forth.”
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a play during the first half in Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in San Antonio, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)© The Associated Press
The Spurs missed their first three shots, but Wembanyama followed the third attempt by flying through the lane and throwing down a right-handed dunk to open the scoring.
Minnesota was held to 35 points in the first half. The Timberwolves shot 29.8% from the field before halftime and were 2 for 15 on 3-pointers as they fell behind by 25 points.
“I loved how everyone had everybody’s back (defensively),” Wembanyama said. “Tonight looked like a system that worked.”
In 2025 some young man Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes the world of basketball to another level. And he is doing it again this year in the NBA post season games.
A few years ago, I wrote this piece for like some kind of a joke. I didn’t know it could be so real now in 2026.
Afrika In The NBA In 2023.Here We Come.
New kid in the block.
Raptors forward Pascal Siakam named an all-star starter for the first time
Of course I live in Toronto. And Pascal Siakam plays here and they just won a championship for Toronto last year. We are the reigning champions of the NBA.
Here it is in Toronto.
And of course Toronto Raptors most famous Super Fan was there as always.
But now we have the NBA All Stars coming for 2020. In the East where I live the top three players are all Africans.
Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Ateto as we call him in Afrika, from the Bucks, the best team in the NBA at this time and Ateto the best player right now). That is beautiful. Isn’t it?
This is Ateto. The most feared player in the NBA today. Nobody knows what to do with him. Neither do I.
And then this. Victor Oladipo from Indiana Pacers. He is an all star but he was injured. Now he is kicking in there. And we are just starting.
I am not even talking about Bismack Biyombo yet. Imagine this Afrikan NBA challenge.
Raptors’ Bismack Biyombo stars in charity soccer game
Bismack Biyombo has more than just basketball skills.
The Toronto Raptors centre — and soon-to-be unrestricted free agent — paired up with NBA legend Steve Nash for the annual “Showdown in Chinatown” soccer game, which benefits the Steve Nash Foundation. He even busted out a sweet celebration routine.
I am not finished yet but the trend is obvious.
Here is Victor Oladipo coming back. Make no mistake about it. Ola is going to be best point guard in the NBA.
How the Mad Ants helped to prepare Pacers All-Star Victor Oladipo for his return
Eight times over the past two months, Victor Oladipo has been assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. It’s there, with the Pacers’ G League affiliate, that he’s ramped up his activity level on the court,
Joel Embiid reacts to he and Pascal Siakam as All-Stars, plans to play
Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has been sidelined since January 4 with a torn radial collateral ligament in his left hand, but that did not stop him from being voted in as an All-Star starter on Thursday. He is the first Sixer since Allen Iverson to be named an All-Star for three straight seasons so it’s a pretty big deal.
“It was great,” said Embiid when he saw his name called. “Third time in a row. A lot of us don’t get that opportunity, so I was happy. I was excited.”
Another big deal is the fact that Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam will be joining him in the starting lineup. Embiid and Siakam are both from the country of Cameroon so this is a pretty big deal for the Sixers big man.
“I was more excited about Pascal,” he added. “Two guys from Cameroon, we barely started playing basketball about nine years ago so to see us, especially as starters, it means a lot. I’m proud to be from Cameroon and from Africa and be representing.”
As mentioned above, Embiid has not played in a game since January 4. He did return to practice on Friday in hopes of returning shortly and since the game is on February 16 in Chicago, he plans to play in the All-Star game as well.
“Yeah, I’m doing the progress necessary,” he said. “I feel great. My finger feels good so I’m not too concerned about what the All-Star game is going to look like. Right now, we are 6th in the East so hopefully, by next week I am able to play.”
Embiid will miss Saturday’s big matchup with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, but he will be reassessed on Monday in hopes of returning soon. After the Lakers, the Sixers host the Golden State Warriors and then head out on the road to face the Atlanta Hawks to begin a four-game road trip
And don’t get me started with Serge Ibaka a champion in Toronto Raptors right now.
Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol show basketball growth doesn’t have to stop in their 30s
Early in his career, Serge Ibaka made his name as one of the most fearsome rim protectors. When he was in his athletic prime in Oklahoma City, he led the league in blocks and was a general terror in the game.
And before that we have folks like Hakeem in this game. We have been here for long.
Hakeem Olajuwon Game 4 of the 1994 NBA Finals Action Art Print, 8 x 10 inches
And Masai Ujiri in the house.
Bring it on.
Of course nobody forgets
Mutombo Dikembe
Don’t forget Manute Bol.
Tallest dude ever in the NBA.
From Sudan.
Manute Bol: Basketball player who used his fame to help peace efforts in his native Sudan
At nearly 7ft 7in tall, Manute Bol, who has died of kidney failure aged 47, stood out even among the giants of America’s National Basketball.
Of course all basketball is black but I don’t want to go there. There is Larry Bird remember that.
But this Zion guy is going to be something. I told my son he is going to be next one to hit 100 points in a game since Wilt. He disagreed.
But here is the young man.
Zion Williamson gives fans what they want during NBA debut in New Orleans’ loss to San Antonio
The rookie grabbed 17 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter.
Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans drives around LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Chris Graythen / Getty Images
