The San Antonio Spurs delivered a statement performance Wednesday night, overwhelming the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-95 in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals to even the series at one game apiece.
Led by another dominant two-way effort from Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio handed Minnesota the worst postseason loss in franchise history while reminding the NBA that the young Spurs are quickly becoming a dangerous playoff force.
Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and a relentless defensive presence as the Spurs bounced back emphatically from their Game 1 defeat. Rookie guard Stephon Castle added 21 points, while De’Aaron Fox chipped in 16 points as San Antonio shot 50% from the field and knocked down 41% of its 3-point attempts.
The 133 points marked the Spurs’ highest-scoring playoff game since their 145-105 series-clinching victory over Denver on May 4, 1983.
From the opening minutes, San Antonio looked determined to erase any lingering frustration from the series opener. After missing their first three shots, Wembanyama electrified the home crowd by soaring through the lane for a thunderous right-handed dunk to open the scoring. That basket ignited a massive run that Minnesota never recovered from.
Wembanyama and Fox, who struggled mightily in Game 1 by combining for just 21 points on 10-for-31 shooting, came out aggressive from the start. The All-Star duo scored the Spurs’ first 11 points and combined to shoot 12-for-25 from the floor Wednesday night. Fox also responded after a rough shooting performance in the opener, drilling both of his 3-point attempts after going 0-for-4 from beyond the arc in Game 1.
San Antonio built a 29-point lead in the first half behind suffocating defense and crisp ball movement. The Timberwolves managed only 35 first-half points while shooting a miserable 29.8% from the field. Minnesota was equally cold from long range, hitting just 2 of 15 attempts before halftime.
The offensive struggles continued throughout the night for the Timberwolves, who never found rhythm against San Antonio’s length and pressure defense. Anthony Edwards, still being eased back after suffering a hyperextended left knee earlier in the playoffs, again came off the bench and finished with 12 points. Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. also scored 12 points apiece, but no Minnesota player could slow the avalanche.
By the midway point of the fourth quarter, the only question remaining was the final margin. Both coaches emptied their benches with 10 minutes left and the Spurs comfortably ahead 104-66.
The defeat surpassed Minnesota’s previous largest postseason loss — a 30-point defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 29, 2003 — and served as a harsh reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in the playoffs.
Now, the series heads to Minneapolis tied 1-1, with Games 3 and 4 scheduled for Friday and Sunday. After Wednesday’s demolition, the Timberwolves will be searching for answers, while the Spurs suddenly appear to have all the momentum.
