By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The San Antonio Spurs surged to a 3–2 lead in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with a decisive 126–97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Playing on their home floor at the Frost Bank Center, they moved within a single win of advancing to the Western Conference Finals, where the Oklahoma City Thunder await the winner of the best-of-seven series.
The contest centered heavily around 22-year-old French superstar Victor Wembanyama, who delivered a historic bounce-back performance following his early ejection from Game 4. At 22 years and 128 days old, he became the third-youngest player in league history to record at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a postseason game, trailing only Magic Johnson and Luka Doncic. He dominated Game 5 with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in 33 minutes of action.
Wemby’s explosive evening began immediately in the opening quarter, where he shot 6-of-8 from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc to post 18 early points. The game maintained a highly physical, combative tone throughout. In the first quarter, he was approached by Ayo Dosunmu after an entanglement with Jaden McDaniels, a moment the French big punctuated moments later by running untouched down the lane for an emphatic windmill dunk. Late in the second quarter, Naz Reid, whom Wembanyama had elbowed in the throat during Game 4 to earn a Flagrant 2 foul, was assessed a technical foul for pushing him in the back during a free throw.
The physical play appeared to fuel the Spurs’ young centerpiece. Reflecting on his preparation and mindset following the Game 4 incident, the Le Chesnay native detailed his routine leading into Tuesday night. “I’ve been working with the team to come back after a loss. Taking care of my body, watching film, being locked in at practice,” he stated during his postgame press conference.
When pressed by reporters on whether he spent the intervening days regretting or reflecting on the Flagrant 2 foul that altered the previous game, the center chose to minimize the narrative. “It’s the Playoffs. I was focused on today’s game,” he downplayed. “We’ve got to move on, and I’ve got to care about my team.”
Wemby admitted that watching the end of Game 4 from the locker room left him eager for the pivotal fifth game. “Very much,” he remarked when asked how much he had been itching to get back on the court. “I was fresh, feeling good. Honestly, it was hard not to be. It was Game 5. Obviously, I was going to be excited, have butterflies, so excitement is not something abnormal at this point in the Playoffs.”
Wembanyama also credited legendary Gregg Popovich for helping settle the team’s emotions after Sunday’s loss, noting that the legendary Spurs head coach went out of his way to greet him upon the team’s arrival back in Texas. “He may have wanted to make a statement, or make his talk even more impactful by being there,” Wemby said of the airport welcome. “He gives feedback and talks to us regularly, through a series, through our games. As always, when he speaks, everyone listens.”
His performance stood in stark contrast to that of the opposite starting French center, Rudy Gobert, who struggled to establish an inside presence, finishing with four points, five rebounds, two steals, and one block across 23 minutes. Fellow French import Joan Beringer also saw brief action for the Wolves, tallying three points, three rebounds, and one block in three minutes of play. The visitors were forced to play shorthanded as their Italian starter, Donte DiVincenzo, remained sidelined while recovering from a right Achilles tendon repair.
The team coached by Mitch Johnson benefited immensely from a reinforced backcourt just hours before tip-off. All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox had been listed as questionable due to a right ankle injury. Additionally, Dylan Harper was added to the injury report with left knee soreness, raising questions about who would handle playmaking responsibilities. However, both Fox and Harper were cleared to play shortly before Game 5.
The Spurs built an 18-point lead in the first half, but Minnesota mounted a furious comeback out of the locker room. The team coached by Chris Finch tied the game in the third quarter, actively disrupting San Antonio’s offense, but later fell into a double-digit deficit once more. Anthony Edwards led the losing side with 20 points despite being held to just eight points in the first half.
The series now shifts back to Minneapolis, where Game 6 will take place at the Target Center on Friday. If the Wolves manage to extend the series, a decisive Game 7 will return to San Antonio on Sunday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 2-2 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – New York Knicks / New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 3-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs / Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions
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