On May 13, Beijing time, Western Conference semifinals Game 5 saw Victor Wembanyama avoid a suspension and explode out of the gate. He posted 18 points and 6 rebounds in the first quarter alone, finishing the first half with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Spurs built a double-digit lead. Although his scoring slowed in the second half, Wembanyama still delivered a monster double-double of 27 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, leading San Antonio to a commanding 3-2 series lead over Minnesota with a decisive victory.
**Wembanyama’s record-setting night:**
1. Scored 18 points in the first quarter, the highest first-quarter total of his playoff career.
2. His 18-point quarter also set a personal playoff record for points in a single quarter, surpassing the 16 he scored in the fourth quarter of the previous game.
3. Became the first player in his playoff career to record at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in the first half.
4. The first to achieve that feat in the playoffs since Anthony Davis in 2023.
5. Joined Tim Duncan (2003) as the only Spurs players in the last 24 years to post at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a playoff half.
6. Became just the third player in Spurs history to record at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff half, joining David Robinson and Tim Duncan.
7. At 22 years and 129 days, became the second-youngest player in playoff history to notch a 20-10 half, trailing only LeBron James (21 years, 130 days).
8. The first Spurs player since Tim Duncan in 2002 to record at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff half.
9. Recorded his second career playoff game with at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
In the first four games of the series, Wembanyama was held under 20 points in the first two contests but erupted for 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks in Game 3—a playoff career high. However, in Game 4, he was ejected after a flagrant 2 foul for elbowing Rudy Gobert in the throat, leading to a Spurs loss.
With no additional suspension handed down by the league, Wembanyama entered Game 5 with a chip on his shoulder. He attacked early, shooting 8-of-6 in the first quarter (including two three-pointers) with multiple dunks and even drawing a flagrant 1 foul on Gobert for a questionable landing spot. His 18 first-quarter points set a personal playoff quarter record and gave the Spurs a narrow four-point lead.
Wembanyama added just three points in the second quarter, but another highlight-reel alley-oop and strong defense—plus a technical foul from Naz Reid for a hard push—helped him finish the half with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The Spurs held Minnesota to just 17 points in the second quarter, building as much as an 18-point lead and taking a 12-point advantage into halftime.
In the second half, the Timberwolves tightened their defense on Wembanyama, limiting him to just one field goal on two attempts in the third quarter for three points. However, his defensive presence remained dominant, and the Spurs extended their lead to 20 points early in the fourth quarter. A controversial offensive foul call on Wembanyama during a spin move and-1 play drew a “death stare” from the rookie, but Minnesota’s brief rally was short-lived. San Antonio clamped down again, pushing the lead past 25 points, allowing Wembanyama to sit out the final minutes as the Spurs cruised to a convincing win and a 3-2 series lead.