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Victor Wembanyama leads Spurs with 19 points and 15 rebounds as San Antonio routs Minnesota 133-95, tying the Western Conference semifinal series 1-1.
NBA: San Antonio Spurs beat Minnesota Timberwolves 133-95 (AP)
Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs handed Minnesota the worst postseason loss in franchise history, beating the Timberwolves 133-95 on Wednesday night to even their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
Stephon Castle scored 21 points and De’Aaron Fox added 16 for San Antonio, which shot 50% from the field and 41% from 3-point range. It was the Spurs’ highest-scoring playoff game since a series-clinching 145-105 win over Denver on May 4, 1983.
Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each finished with 12 points for Minnesota.
Edwards again came off the bench, as Minnesota continued to limit his minutes in his second game back from a hyperextended left knee.
Games 3 and 4 are set for Friday and Sunday in Minneapolis.
San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves – How It Happened?
With The animal attacking more aggressively on offense from the outset, the Spurs quickly put their series-opening loss behind them.
Minnesota’s previous largest postseason defeat was a 30-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 29, 2003.
Only the margin of victory was in doubt by Monday, as both teams sent their starters to the bench with 10 minutes remaining and the Spurs leading 104-66.
After combining for 21 points on 10-for-31 shooting in Game 1, Wembanyama and Fox went a combined 12-for-25 from the field on Wednesday.
The All-Star duo scored the Spurs’ first 11 points as San Antonio raced to a 29-point lead in the first half.
The Spurs missed their first three shots, but Wembanyama followed the third attempt by flying through the lane and throwing down a right-handed dunk to open the scoring.
Minnesota was held to 35 points in the first half. The Timberwolves shot 29.8% from the field and went 2-for-15 from 3-point range before halftime as they fell behind by 25.
Spurs rookie Carter Bryant soared for a two-handed slam for his first points of the series, and Wembanyama followed with a 3-pointer to push the lead to 43-26 midway through the second quarter.
Back-to-back slams by Dylan Harper and Castle highlighted an 11-0 run that extended the advantage to 59-34.
San Antonio has not lost consecutive games since dropping back-to-back contests at Minnesota and Oklahoma City in mid-January.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)
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