Victor Wembanyama Leads Spurs Past Timberwolves in Game 5 After Responding to Ejection Controversy

Posted : 13 May 2026

San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell had called for an “angry Vic” heading into Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals, while head coach Mitch Johnson preferred a more composed and “mature” response from Victor Wembanyama following his first career ejection. The French star, however, said he intended to combine both intensity and maturity.

Wembanyama delivered a dominant performance as the Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97, moving ahead 3-2 in the series. In the process, he made postseason history by recording at least 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two made three-pointers—becoming the first player to reach that statistical combination in the modern playoff era.

Just two days after being ejected in Game 4 for an elbow incident involving Naz Reid, Wembanyama opened Game 5 with explosive energy that set the tone for San Antonio’s commanding victory. His fast start helped the Spurs build an early cushion they never relinquished.

Coach Mitch Johnson praised the young star’s response, highlighting both his focus and discipline after a turbulent 48 hours. He noted that Wembanyama’s performance reflected significant emotional control and growth in a high-pressure situation.

The Spurs center scored 18 points in the first quarter alone, tying a personal playoff best for a single quarter. He accounted for 16 of his first-half points during a short six-minute stretch, while also anchoring San Antonio’s defense by limiting Minnesota’s efficiency on contested shots.

By the time the Timberwolves called a timeout midway through the opening period, Wembanyama had already outscored them almost single-handedly, signaling a dominant outing from the start.

Wembanyama emphasized the importance of beginning games strongly, explaining that playoff intensity and nerves are expected but must be channeled effectively. Minnesota continued to apply physical pressure, but he managed to stay composed despite repeated contact from key opponents.

The Spurs controlled the paint with 68 points inside compared to Minnesota’s 36, underlining their interior dominance. It marked one of San Antonio’s strongest paint performances in recent playoff history and proved decisive in building a comfortable margin.

De’Aaron Fox praised Wembanyama’s resilience, noting that he absorbed physical challenges without losing effectiveness, a key factor in the Spurs’ offensive and defensive balance.

San Antonio’s 29-point win also set a franchise record for consecutive home playoff victories of such magnitude, further highlighting their momentum in the series.

Reflecting on his recent ejection, Wembanyama refused to dwell on the incident and instead focused on preparing for Game 6, stressing that the playoffs require quick mental resets and full attention on the next challenge.

The Spurs now hold a 3-2 series lead, improving their record in best-of-seven series when leading by that margin to 16-3.

Victor Wembanyama Leads Spurs Past Timberwolves in Game 5 After Responding to Ejection Controversy

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