San Antonio Spurs Blow Out Minnesota Timberwolves, Even NBA Playoff Series

Victor Wembanyama scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, powering the San Antonio Spurs to a dominant 133-95 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and leveling their Western Conference semifinal series at 1-1. The Spurs controlled the final three quarters from start to finish.

San Antonio overwhelmed the sixth-seeded Timberwolves in the second quarter, turning a seven-point lead after the first period into a 24-point advantage by halftime on Wednesday.

The second-seeded Spurs extended their lead to 98-63 after three quarters, with Julian Champagni scoring all 12 of his points on four three-pointers in the frame.

From there, San Antonio cruised to the finish, building a lead of as many as 47 points.

Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 21 points, De'Aaron Fox added 16, Harrison Barnes scored 12, Dylan Harper contributed 11, Devin Vassell had 10, and Keldon Johnson grabbed 10 rebounds. Wembanyama made two three-pointers but has connected on only 2 of 15 attempts from deep in the series.

San Antonio has not lost consecutive games since a pair of defeats on January 11 at Minnesota and January 13 at Oklahoma City, a stretch of 49 contests.

Wembanyama reflected on the difference between Game 1 and Game 2: “We brought intensity from the start. We competed for offensive rebounds early, fought for every loose ball, and made the extra pass to the open man.”

“Of course, we'll keep doubling down on what works and eliminate a few things that don't. Minnesota is a veteran team – we know they'll respond. I love how everyone had each other's backs. It looks like a system that works.”

Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Friday in Minneapolis.

Knicks Take 2-0 Lead Over 76ers

Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson scored eight of his 26 points in the fourth quarter as the New York Knicks shut down the Philadelphia 76ers down the stretch, winning 108-102 in Game 2 to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Knicks lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game 3 is Friday in Philadelphia.

“Being down 2-0 after coming back to win in the first round, I think that's a bigger challenge,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said. “After two games, it's 2-0. That puts a lot of pressure on the next one, but that's fine.”

Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points and 10 rebounds despite playing only 27 minutes due to foul trouble, as the Knicks closed the game on a 12-3 run to seal a contest that featured 14 ties and 25 lead changes.

OG Anunoby, who left the game with 2:31 remaining after hobbling with a right leg injury, scored 24 points, while Mikal Bridges added 18 as New York won its fifth straight game. The Knicks' average margin of victory in their previous four wins was 33.8 points.

“He looks like he's jumping,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said of Anunoby. “I haven't spoken with the medical staff yet.”

Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points for the 76ers, who managed just 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia led for the final time at 99-96 on a Kelly Oubre Jr. three-pointer with 6:52 remaining, then shot 1-for-10 from the field with two turnovers the rest of the way.

“At the end of the day, it's about who gets more stops in the fourth quarter,” Brown said. “Holding a team like them to 12 points – and they missed some shots, we know that – to get them to just 12 points in the fourth, that's huge.”

Oubre and Paul George each scored 19 points. VJ Edgecombe added 17.

76ers center Joel Embiid missed the game with ankle and hip injuries.

Philadelphia will host Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Sunday.