Wembanyama responded by setting a suffocating tone as San Antonio handed Minnesota its largest postseason loss in franchise history, beating the Timberwolves 133-95 on Wednesday night to even their series at one game apiece.
Despite posting 11 points, 15 rebounds and setting an NBA postseason record with 12 blocks, Wembanyama shouldered much of the blame for the Spurs’ 104-102 loss to the Timberwolves on Monday in Game 1.
The seven-foot-four All-Star knew he needed to do more, especially offensively.
Was there some anger and frustration and a desire to get back on the court for Game 2? Absolutely.
“There always is,” Wembanyama said. “In the playoffs, magnify that.”
What resulted was what Minnesota coach Chris Finch said was a punking before a raucous sellout crowd.
The Timberwolves were held to 35 points in the first half while shooting 7 for 24 from the field and 2 for 15 on three-pointers.
Minnesota closed the game shooting 40 per cent from the field, 30 per cent on 3-pointers while committing 22 turnovers. San Antonio had a 58-36 scoring advantage in the paint, a 55-43 rebounding advantage and had nine blocked shots compared to two for Minnesota.
“We got beat in every way possible, it’s as simple as that,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said. “There’s not really much to say from this game. They outhustled us, out-physicaled us, executed, played better defensively, more energy. They just beat us in every way in this game. We’ve got to come back in the next game and be better.”
Game 3 is Friday in Minneapolis, followed by Game 4 on Sunday at the Target Center.
The Spurs and Timberwolves went deep into their benches Wednesday with 10 minutes remaining in the game with only the margin of defeat undecided.
San Antonio’s 38-point victory toppled Minnesota’s previous largest postseason defeat of 30 points to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 29, 2003.
“I know this team’s capable of doing all of this,” Wembanyama said. “To be honest, I’m expecting this kind of response from myself, from my teammates. So, I’m not surprised by any means and I’m just going to keep working so we approach more games like we did tonight.”
After blowing a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter Monday, Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox both took accountability for the two-point loss.
Wembanyama andFox combined for only 21 points in Game 1. The All-Star duo was a combined 0 for 12 on three-pointers with Wembanyama missing eight.
“They acknowledged it, them being the leaders on our team,” Spurs guard Stephon Castle said. “Coming out of Game 1, I mean, it’s going to happen. You’re going to have bad shooting nights, but I mean, we have nothing but confidence in those two. So, I expect them to play well the rest of the series like they did tonight.”
Wembanyama set the tone early in Game 2, scoring seven points on 3-for-4 shooting.
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.
Wembanyama had 14 points and nine rebounds in the first half while leading a defensive effort that limited Minnesota to 35 points, the fewest points by a San Antonio opponent in the first half of a playoff game since Memphis had 31 in 2013.
“I just think we respond well to adversity,” Castle said. “I think we’ve done that all year. I mean, I don’t think we were too shell-shocked coming out of Game 1. I think we knew why we lost Game 1 and we addressed it right away. And I feel like that’s what carried us through tonight.”
