The Spurs battled back-and-forth in Minneapolis but Victor Wembanyama was the difference maker in the 115-108 win.
Fresh off a historic bounce-back effort in Game 2, the San Antonio packed up and headed north to the Twin Cities for the next pair of games against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a thrilling battle between both squads down the final minutes, but San Antonio emerged with a 115-108 win and took a 2-1 series lead.
The main factor in the Spurs holding off the Wolves: Victor Wembanyama. This may be the most unsurprising statement ever when talking San Antonio. However cliche it may be, it was the truth in Game 3.
Wembanyama came alive with a masterful 39-point performance, with 16 in the final quarter, to lead all scorers on the night. He went 13-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three in an efficient outing, as well. "The Alien" lived up to his nickname by adding 15 rebounds and five blocks for a truly eye-popping final stat line.
He joined an elite fraternity of NBA players to record at least 35 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in a postseason game. The list consists solely of all-time legends in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who accomplished the feat twice, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal, who did it three times each.
While the phenom showcased his ability to affect the game defensively throughout the series, Wemby struggled to find his offensive spark early on against the Wolves. Friday's outing exemplified the true force he brings on both ends of the court and the way it can swing tight contests in San Antonio's favor.
Even with an all-time performance from its leader, San Antonio had to win the game during crunch time. This was due in part to a strong performance from the Wolves' star Anthony Edwards, who dropped 32 points in his first game back in the starting lineup.
It cannot be understated how valuable Wembanyama will be moving forward for the Spurs, as the competition will only continue to get tougher the further San Antonio goes into the postseason.
Granted, Wemby is not alone, with Stephon Castle leading the charge in Game 2 and four other Spurs breaking into double-figures to help in Game 3. But compare his performance in the first game to the latest in the series and it's evident that he can make or break games for San Antonio.
With a 2-1 series lead, the Spurs are back in the driver's seat of yet another playoff series. Despite the advantage, it is doubtful Minnesota will go quietly into the night, as the Wolves have shown their competitive edge game after game.
After getting their first win in Target Center since 2022, the Spurs need to keep moving forward in Game 4 and truly put the Wolves in preservation move heading back to the Alamo City. The next matchup between the two tips off at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.