Victor Wembanyama is making a lasting impression in his first NBA postseason, etching his name into the record books.
Victor Wembanyama is carving out a legendary start to his NBA playoff career.
With a blend of agility and grace that belies his massive 7ft 4in frame, the San Antonio Spurs star made his two-way presence seem effortless—until the visible cuts and bruises on his long arms told a different story. Fighting for position and battling for rebounds all night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wembanyama poured in 39 points, grabbed 15 boards, and swatted five shots, leading the Spurs to a 115-108 victory in Game 3 on Friday. The win gave San Antonio a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semi-final series.
“It’s going to happen,” Wembanyama said. “They’re Wolves, after all.”
The Spurs remained unbeaten on the road this postseason, securing their first win in a tightly contested game after four first-round victories over the Portland Trail Blazers that came by margins of 12 to 21 points.
“They just continue showing growth,” coach Mitch Johnson said.
The growth starts with Wembanyama. The 22-year-old French phenom, in his first NBA postseason, has played only seven playoff games but has already built an impressive legacy. He became just the fourth player in NBA history to reach 35 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in a playoff game, joining Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O’Neal. Wembanyama is the only one to achieve that while shooting better than 70% from the floor—he went 13-for-18 from the field and 10-for-12 from the free-throw line.
The Timberwolves have accused Wembanyama of goaltending after he set an NBA playoff block record earlier in the series.
“It’s good to be along with the big fellas,” said Wembanyama, who credited Olajuwon for teaching him a spin fadeaway that he used to score over his mentor Rudy Gobert during a 16-point fourth quarter.
Wembanyama set an NBA postseason record with 12 blocked shots in the series opener, but he lamented his lack of offensive impact after a 104-102 loss to the Wolves on Monday. He came out aggressively in Game 2, immediately asserting dominance on both ends to spark a 133-95 victory on Wednesday. The travel north did nothing to slow him down.
“He’s a world-class defender. You’re always aware of him,” Wolves guard Ayo Dosunmu said. “Yeah, he’s a gift at that end of the court.”
De’Aaron Fox scored 17 points for the Spurs, while Stephon Castle added 13 points, 12 assists, and a team-high plus-17 rating. Anthony Edwards led the Wolves with 32 points and 14 rebounds, and Naz Reid contributed 18 points and nine rebounds. Game 4 is set for Sunday night in Minnesota, before the series shifts to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday.
New York Knicks 108-94 Philadelphia 76ers
Jalen Brunson scored 33 points and sealed the win with clutch buckets late, powering the New York Knicks to a 108-94 victory over the host Philadelphia 76ers, taking a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.
The Knicks systematically wore down the Sixers in the fourth quarter, turning a four-point lead into another double-digit victory. Josh Hart posted 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges added 23 points, pushing New York and first-year coach Mike Brown within one win of a second straight conference finals appearance. The Knicks now have the luxury of not needing to rush players back from injury.