The San Antonio Spurs returned to the Lone Star State locked in a 2-2 series draw with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but as they have all playoffs long, the Spurs took care of business at home to win Game 5 on Tuesday, 126-97.

Victor Wembanyama and company retake the series lead as the Western Conference Semifinals shift back to the Twin Cities.

The MVP finalist rebounded from his Game 4 ejection by posting a game-high 27 points and 17 rebounds, to go with three blocks and five assists.

Here's how the Spurs retook control of the series in a pivotal Game 5 statement.

Following his flagrant-2 ejection after an elbow to Naz Reid's neck in Sunday's Game 4 in Minnesota, we knew we'd get an angry, motivated Wemby in Game 5.

"I feel like the rage-baiting would have been maybe one of the strategies (used by the Timberwolves)," Wembanyama said. "I feel like I need to stay composed."

Composed-but-angry Wemby was on a mission when he got the chances, and there were plenty in the first quarter.

Wembanyama joined LeBron James and Nikola Jokic as the only players in the last 30 years to record at least 18 points and six rebounds in the opening period of a playoff game.

More importantly, the Spurs superstar managed his emotions amid the physical defense he knew the Timberwolves would bring into this one.

In the second half, the story was 6th Man of the Year Keldon Johnson impacting the game on both ends. He had averaged just 8.8 points per game through the first four, but contributed 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting on Tuesday.

At numerous times throughout the first half, the Spurs' stifling defense left the Wolves utterly confused on offense. They were left with no choice but to hoist perimeter jumpers that simply weren't falling.

A lot of that trend is thanks to Mitch Johnson's decision to blitz ball screens involving Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards, who put on a show to even the series last time out. Edwards scored 20 points and the Wolves were held to 39 percent shooting from the field.

"What are we doing here?" Reggie Miller said at one point during the broadcast. "If you're Chris Finch, where is your offense? Where has it gone?"

On the other end of the floor, the Spurs made good use of the minutes when the Timberwolves' best two-way threat, Jaden McDaniels, was off the floor in foul trouble. It came at a crucial time as McDaniels helped spark a comeback, but Minnesota couldn't keep it going with him on the bench.

The Wolves tried switching up the looks by going into zone to minimize the loss of McDaniels' on-ball defense, but as had been the case all game long, San Antonio's ball-handlers attacked the lane, found open shooters, and were always aware of a toss to the rim to let Wemby work.

San Antonio started the game hot from the field as Minnesota stalled. The Spurs built a first-half lead as large as 18, but even though the script flipped in the third quarter - where the Wolves used a 14-2 run and tied the game at 61 - the home team always had an answer.

It was Johnson and the bench that rose to the occasion to close the third quarter strong and carry momentum into the final period, just as this one appeared to be a fight to the final buzzer.

When we got to the waning moments, the collective effort from the Spurs - whose bench outscored Minnesota's 44-23 - turned it into a blowout win.

The Spurs are 16-3 all-time when leading 3-2 in best-of-seven series, and although this group lacks playoff experience, that didn't look to be the case on Tuesday night.

San Antonio will now look to bookend the series as the Spurs trip back to Minnesota for Game 6 on Thursday.