NBA Playoffs: San Antonio demolishes Minnesota (+38), New York edges Philadelphia
The Spurs tied the series (1-1) with a crushing 133-95 victory over the Timberwolves (Wembanyama double-double), while the Knicks took a 2-0 lead against the Sixers (108-102) ahead of the series moving to Philadelphia.
Main Event
The NBA playoffs on May 6, 2026, delivered two thrilling second-round games that dramatically shifted the standings in both conferences. In the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs dismantled the Minnesota Timberwolves on their home court, tying the series. Meanwhile, at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks grinded out a tense win over the Philadelphia 76ers, taking a 2-0 series lead before heading to Pennsylvania.
Details and Statistics
The showdown in San Antonio ended with a double-digit margin for the hosts, 133-95, marking the worst playoff loss in Timberwolves franchise history. By halftime, the game was effectively decided: Minnesota managed a paltry 35 points in the first half, shooting just 29.8% from the field and missing 13 of 15 three-point attempts.
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama posted a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds, but the team's true strength emerged in collective play. Stephon Castle led all scorers with 21 points, De'Aaron Fox added 16, and Julian Champagnie put on a personal three-point show in the third quarter, sinking four long-range shots. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch admitted afterward that his team was "simply humiliated" on both ends of the floor.
Meanwhile, in New York, the contest was far more competitive. The Knicks beat the Sixers 108-102, but the victory came with great difficulty—Philadelphia led for 26 minutes and 46 seconds of game time. In the clutch, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson shone once again: with 5:06 left in the fourth quarter, his accurate shot put New York ahead, and a minute and a half later, he extended the lead to 103-99. Besides Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns (20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) and OG Anunoby (24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals) made significant contributions for the winners.
Context and Significance
After losing the first game 102-104, San Antonio responded like a team with 62 regular-season wins. Notably, their 133 points were the most the Spurs have scored in a playoff game since May 4, 1983, when the legendary 80s team routed Denver 145-105. Remarkably, San Antonio has not lost two consecutive games since mid-January, a streak that continues.
For Minnesota, the situation is compounded by injury issues: team leader Anthony Edwards is still coming off the bench due to minute restrictions after a left knee hyperextension. In Game 2, he scored just 12 points—the same as Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, and Terrence Shannon Jr. No Timberwolves player surpassed that mark, an anomaly for an offensive-minded team.
New York's win over Philadelphia (108-102) is notable because it broke a streak of blowouts involving the Knicks—in the first round, they won three straight games by at least 25 points. Now the team has proven they can win tight, gritty finishes where the outcome hangs in the balance until the final minutes. Special mention goes to the duel between Brunson and Tyrese Maxey: both point guards scored 26 points, but Maxey committed 6 turnovers to Brunson's 2.
What's Next / Next Game Preview
The San Antonio-Minnesota series moves to Minneapolis, where Game 3 will be held on May 8 at the Target Center (tip-off at 9:30 PM ET). The Timberwolves desperately need to redeem themselves at home after a historic humiliation. If Edwards gradually regains his form, Minnesota has a chance to seize momentum, but the Spurs are clearly riding a wave.
Meanwhile, New York and Philadelphia will meet for Game 3 on May 8 as well, but three hours earlier. The Sixers find themselves in a critical 0-2 hole, and the Wells Fargo Center home court may be the last line of defense for Nick Nurse's team. History from the first round, where Philadelphia rallied from 1-3 down against Boston, gives fans some hope, but the Knicks look too solid. Bookmakers have already significantly adjusted the odds for conference finals appearances: San Antonio's and New York's chances have risen to approximately 65% and 72% in probability terms—typical numbers for teams that have regained home-court advantage in second-round series.
— Editorial Team
