Any number of dramatic things can happen in a Game Five of a tied NBA playoff series. The San Antonio Spurs though had no intentions of any drama happening on Tuesday night and quashed any chance of theatrics.
Victor Wembanyama had 27 points, securing 17 rebounds and 3 blocks, to help propel the Spurs past the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 in a pivotal Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Spurs wasted no time jumping out to an early lead, then building upon it. San Antonio ripped off 15-2 run to surge ahead 24-9 just six minutes into the first quarter. Wembanyama, who was ejected early in Game Four, was a key part of that run.
By the end of the first period, the Spurs led 34-30. Wembanyama scored 18 of his 27 points in the first quarter alone.
The second quarter was more of the same for the Spurs. They started the second period on a 9-0 run to take a 43-30 lead with 10 minutes to go before the half. That lead was stretched even further, as Harrison Barnes found Wemnbanyama for a throwdown dunk to push the Spurs to an 18-point advantage.
San Antonio led the Timberwolves 59-47 at halftime, outscoring Minnesota 25-17 in the third period.
The third quarter was a quintessential "game of runs." The Timberwolves opened the half on a 14-2 run to tie up the game at 61 a piece. But the Spurs responded with an 11-2 run of their own, taking a 72-63 lead, eventually building that to a 91-73 lead by the end of the period. They ended the frame on another 11-4 run.
Stephon Castle, who scored 17 points in the game, ignited the Frost Bank Center crowd with a dunk during the Spurs spurt.
The Spurs were spurred on by crashing the boards, outrebounding Minnesota 60-45 on the night. The Spurs also got big contributions from their other starters as well, with De'Aaron Fox scoring 18 points. Keldon Johnson added another 21 points off the bench for San Antonio.
The fourth quarter started like the third. The Timberwolves opened the quarter on an 8-2 run to cut the Spurs lead to 12 with nine minutes to play. The lead though was extended again by the Spurs, who went on another 11-4 run to push it back to an 18-point advantage for the second time.
Castle played his role in the run, stealing his way to another dunk that lit up the already ignited crowd.
San Antonio would build their lead up to as much as 22 points late in the fourth quarter, squashing any hopes of a Timberwolves comeback.
Minnesota was led once again by Anthony Edwards, who scored 20 points on the night. Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels each added 17 points of their own.
The win puts San Antonio ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, which now shifts back North.
The Spurs will try to close out the series in Game Six Thursday night in Minneapolis.
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