Recap: Victor Wembanyama leads Spurs to pivotal Game 5 win

The Spurs locked down the paint against the Wolves to win Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinals series.

Enjoy the best of the

2026 NBA Playoffs

, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Tuesday’s action.

Victor Wembanyama (27 pts, 17 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk)

and the Spurs dominated the paint en route to defeating the Timberwolves 126-97, taking a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference Semifinals series.

Last night’s live blog: Cavaliers tie series, Thunder advance

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What we know about Tuesday’s game

The Spurs and Timberwolves will hook up again on Friday at 9:30 ET on Prime.

Postgame Presser:

Timberwolves-Spurs

MAY 12, 2026 / 11:15 ET

Tuesday’s result

Spurs 126, Timberwolves 97

Victor Wembanyama (27 pts, 17 pts, 5 ast, 3 blk)

is your top performer of the night.

MAY 12, 2026 / 11:05 ET

Postgame Presser: Timberwolves-Spurs

LIVE: Timberwolves/Spurs Game 5 Postgame Presser

NBA Playoffs presented by

@Google

https://t.co/WNQQVKoFGF

— NBA (@NBA)

May 13, 2026

MAY 12, 2026 / 10:51 ET

One time for Victor Wembanyama

Wemby starred in Game 5!

27 PTS

17 REB (career-high in a postseason game)

5 AST

3 BLK

Spurs take a 3-2 series lead in the West Semis 🍿

pic.twitter.com/i8xNS0lNtV

MAY 12, 2026 / 10:44 ET

Spurs win 126-97

San Antonio took control in the third quarter and never looked back, dominating the paint against the Timberwolves to take a 3-2 lead in the series.

The Spurs earned a 68-36 advantage in points in the paint, leading by as many as 30 in the contest. San Antonio shot 52.8% from the field and held Minnesota to 38.6% shooting.

“Job’s not finished. We have one more game to the Conference Finals,” said Victor Wembanyama. (27 pts, 17 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk).

Wemby became the third-youngest player to put up 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in a Playoff game, behind Magic Johnson and

Luka Dončić.

MAY 12, 2026 / 10:37 ET

Benches empty on both sides

San Antonio’s up 118-93 as the clock winds down. Keldon Johnson (21 pts on 8-of-11 shooting) knocked down a 3-pointer a moment ago, before Mitch Johnson pulled the regular rotation players.

Always fun to see Kelly Olynyk out there.

MAY 12, 2026 / 10:33 ET

Dylan Harper soars

The Spurs rookie has 12 points, including this easy slam. His Dad, Ron, a high-flyer himself, would be proud.

Dylan Harper drives and slams it home 💪

Spurs lead by 19 in Q4 of Game 5.

pic.twitter.com/DmrKFMTKxh

MAY 12, 2026 / 10:28 ET

Spurs in firm control

106-89 Spurs with 6:05 to go in the fourth at Frost Bank Center.

San Antonio’s earned a 60-34 advantage in points in the paint and pushed the ball out of Anthony Edwards’ hands tonight, limiting him to 13 shot attempts.

The stars have been crucial in this series — tonight, Wembanyama (26 pts, 16 reb, 5 ast) has heartily outplayed Edwards (20 pts on 8-of-13 shooting).

MAY 12, 2026 / 10:14 ET

Timberwolves drop an 8-0 run

Minnesota’s managed to rally back into the game with a quick run to start the fourth quarter, capped by a brilliant stepback 3-pointer by Naz Reid (11 pts).

93-81 with 9:34 to go in the game on NBC and Peacock.

MAY 12, 2026 / 10:06 ET

Spurs up 91-73 at the break

Victor Wembanyama (26 pts, 15 reb) has been backed by surges from Keldon Johnson (16 pts), De’Aaron Fox (14 pts) and Stephon Castle (13 pts) as San Antonio has handled every Minnesota surge tonight.

“Every time Minnesota’s made a run, they’ve had a counter. For a young team that hasn’t been through these trials, that’s a lot of growth in a short period of time,” said Reggie Miller.

MAY 12, 2026 / 9:50 ET

Spurs respond with 11-2 run

72-63 with 5:09 to go in the third.

In this run, Stephon Castle got in the lane for a floater and a dunk on Rudy Gobert, as well as delivering a fadeaway jumper, while Keldon Johnson backed Anthony Edwards under the rim and put through a hook shot.

Score.

Celebrate with passion.

Keldon Johnson and the Spurs lead by 7 in Q3 of Game 5.

https://t.co/AVAlYvaMHH

pic.twitter.com/P37jADSEBv

The Spurs’ physicality has the Timberwolves on the back foot.

Anthony Edwards is still being doubled near half court, and only Ayo Dosunmu (16 pts on 10 shots, 9 reb) is really flowing as the Wolves counterattack.

MAY 12, 2026./ 9:46 ET

Timberwolves rally to tie

61-all with 7:26 remaining in the third, as the Timberwolves dig their way out of an 18-point deficit to tie it.

Jaden McDaniels (12 pts) and Anthony Edwards (12 pts) have both gotten loose early in the period.

MAY 12, 2026 / 9:19 ET

Spurs up 59-47 at the half

San Antonio missed their final seven shots, but Minnesota was unable to make them pay as a physical second quarter wound down.

“We’ve got to continue to play together. Lean on our habits,” said Keldon Johnson (8 pts, 2 reb).

Victor Wembanyama (21 pts, 11 reb) is the story of the contest so far. He’s controlled the paint on both ends, while the Timberwolves have struggled to get going.

Ayo Dosunmu (9 pts, 7 reb) is the top scorer for Minnesota at the break, while Anthony Edwards (8 pts on 2-of-5 shooting) and Julius Randle (6 pts on 2-of-7 shooting) look to find their offense.

Randle’s had several good midrange looks, but has been unable to bull his way to the basket. He and Jaden McDaniels (7 pts, 3 reb) are a team-low -16 at the half.

MAY 12, 2026 / 9:10 ET

San Antonio in control

54-40 Spurs with 4:23 to go in the second quarter, as the San Antonio defense locks down.

They’re doubling Anthony Edwards nearly every time down the floor, forcing the ball out of his hands, and the other Timberwolves have been unable to make them pay.

Minnesota’s also shooting 4-of-15 (26.7%) from 3-point range so far, hampering their offense.

MAY 12, 2026 / 8:57 ET

Spurs surge into the second

San Antonio’s started the second quarter on an 11-3 run, taking a 45-33 lead with 9:02 to go in the second quarter.

Victor Wembanyama (18 pts, 8 reb) has been dominant so far, while no one on the Timberwolves has cracked double figures.

Wemby in Q1:

18 PTS (6-8 FGM)

6 REB

2 3PM

Spurs lead by 4 in Game 5.

pic.twitter.com/5Z39oF27Q4

MAY 12, 2026 / 8:41 ET

8-0 run for the Timberwolves

28-24 Spurs, but Minnesota’s cutting back into it with just over two minutes to go.

Mike Conley Jr. knocked down a 3-pointer and dished an assist to Anthony Edwards for one during this streak, as the Wolves scrap.

MAY 12, 2026 / 8:25 ET

Wemby rolling early

17-9 San Antonio as we tip under 8:00 minutes to go, as Victor Wembanyama (9 pts, 2 reb) forces a Minnesota timeout with a driving slam.

Wemby throws down a powerful one-hand slam.

MIN/SAS Game 5 is LIVE on NBC & Peacock.

pic.twitter.com/3K8Chhz6lH

“Wemby’s back!” Mike Tirico said to send us to break.

MAY 12, 2026 / 7:00 ET

Starting Lineup: Timberwolves-Spurs, Game 5

Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves look to take home court advantage in Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Spurs tonight on NBC and Peacock.

Minnesota:

PG Ayo Dosunmu

Dosunmu hasn’t been quite right after missing time with a calf strain, but he’s a competent, savvy all-around guard who gives the Timberwolves a fighting chance whenever he’s on the floor.

SG Anthony Edwards

We’ve seen Edwards start to fire in earnest in Game 3 and Game 4. He’s averaged 34.0 ppg in 40.5 mpg, reassuming the role of main man for Chris Finch’s offense.

SF Jaden McDaniels

McDaniels has been inefficient in the last two games — a far cry from the regular season, when he shot 51.5/41.2/83.5 from the field. A hot-shooting game from him could change the series.

PF Julius Randle

Randle, held to 12.0 ppg in the series, has been unable to assert himself against a smaller Spurs squad. Watch to see if he can win switches against Devin Vassell and De’Aaron Fox tonight.

C Rudy Gobert

Gobert is -34 in this series so far, second-worst on the Timberwolves, behind only Anthony Edwards (-45).

San Antonio:

PG De’Aaron Fox

Fox showed off a flair for the dramatic with the Kings, winning the 2022-23 Clutch Player of the Year award, but hasn’t been able to show up in crunch time for the Spurs in this series. He’s usually quicker than his matchup, and surprisingly big to boot, but the length of the Timberwolves makes it difficult for him.

SG Stephon Castle

Castle hasn’t been able to slow Anthony Edwards in this series. Ant-Man has shot 12-for-21 against the athletic UConn alumni, putting up 31 points in 14:22 of game action. But he leads the Spurs at +46 in the series — a testament to his will and slashing ability.

SF Devin Vassell

Vassell is now at 31.4% from 3-point range in the Playoffs — the Spurs could use a good shooting night from him.

PF Julian Champagnie

Champagnie also went cold in Game 4, missing all five of his 3-point attempts. He provides critical spacing for the Spurs.

C Victor Wembanyama

After being ejected from Game 4, watch how Wemby handles the Timberwolves’ physicality tonight. They’re making life difficult for him on the biggest stage of his young career.

MAY 12, 2026 / 6:30 ET

Tuesday’s injury report

De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper are available for San Antonio. Donte DiVincenzo remains out for Minnesota, while Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu are off the injury report.