NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Shines as Spurs Top Timberwolves; Knicks Beat Sixers
Al Jazeera English
Victor Wembanyama scored 39 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-108 to take a 2-1 series lead. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-94 and now lead their series 3-0.
Friday night, Victor Wembanyama continued to assert his elite status, putting up 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks to lift the San Antonio Spurs over the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-108, giving them a 2-1 lead in the NBA Western Conference semifinals.
The 7-foot-4 French phenom erupted in the fourth quarter with 16 points, including two clutch three-pointers. Despite this being his first playoff run, Wembanyama exuded confidence: “I was born for this. I love it more than anything.”
For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards returned to the starting lineup after a knee injury, finishing with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists, but it wasn't enough to avoid defeat. Minnesota stumbled early, missing their first 12 shots and falling behind, but managed to tie the game 51-51 at halftime.
The game heated up in the third quarter when a collision between Jaden McDaniels and Dylan Harper sparked a scuffle involving multiple players from both teams. Still, Wembanyama kept his composure and closed strong with pivotal three-pointers.
Teammate De'Aaron Fox praised him: “Elite. Teams will try to get physical with him, but Wembanyama doesn't complain, he finds his way through it and still shines.”
In the night's other game, the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-94 to take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jalen Brunson led the way with 33 points and 9 assists, backed by strong defense and rebounding from Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart (23 rebounds combined).
Philadelphia started strong behind Paul George (15 points in the first quarter), jumping out to a 12-point lead. But the Knicks quickly turned the tide, scoring 33 points in the second quarter on 57% shooting to take the lead into halftime.
The duel between Towns and Joel Embiid was intense, with each picking up three fouls before the break. The Sixers cut the deficit to two points late in the third quarter, but then went cold, missing six straight shots — including two airballs.
Coach Nick Nurse admitted: “All we can do is try to win the next game. If you win one, it's 3-1 and you don't have to think about being down 3-0 anymore. We need to focus, adjust and play better.”
Embiid added: “We can't back down. You can't get it all back in one game — just take it one win at a time.”
Game 4 between the Knicks and Sixers is set for Sunday in Philadelphia.
