Wembanyama’s 27-17 Push Alters Timberwolves Schedule Path — Timberwolves Schedule
Victor Wembanyama changed the timberwolves schedule picture with a 27-point, 17-rebound Game 5 as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves. The NBA did not suspend him, and the Western Conference Finals picture shifted with the Oklahoma City Thunder waiting at home.
That result left the Timberwolves at a disadvantage after they had tied the series at two games apiece before Game 5. Oklahoma City was said to be rooting for Minnesota to get past San Antonio, because the Thunder do not want Wembanyama on the other side of the bracket.
Wembanyama Takes Over Game 5
Wembanyama finished with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in Game 5. At 22 years old, he was the difference after San Antonio pulled away late and pushed the margin to 20.
Game 4 had already set up the edge of this series. Wembanyama threw an elbow to Naz Reid’s head and throat and was ejected, but he was back in uniform for Game 5 and the league did not suspend him.
Fox And Harper Suit Up
De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper were both in uniform for Game 5 despite being questionable with injuries. Their availability gave San Antonio more stability, and the Spurs used it while the Timberwolves tried to keep pace after tying the game midway through the third quarter.
That midway point was the last real opening Minnesota created. San Antonio came alive after that and turned the game into a 20-point gap, which leaves the Timberwolves needing to answer a matchup problem they had already spent much of the series trying to solve.
Thunder Wait For The Winner
Oklahoma City had already moved on and was waiting for the Western Conference Finals to start. The Thunder had just swept a shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers team after the Phoenix Suns backed into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, and Minnesota was the opponent they would rather see.
For the Thunder, the difference is simple: the Timberwolves can still be worn down, but Wembanyama can tilt a game with points, rebounds, assists and blocks all at once. That is the path Minnesota has to solve before the West Finals begin.
