San Antonio Spurs Seize Momentum in NBA Second-Round Series Against Minnesota
After losing the first game, the Spurs have won two straight and now lead the series 2-1. The key was a 115-108 road victory in Game 3.
🏀 San Antonio Seizes Momentum: Wembanyama Dominates Minnesota in Game 3
Main Event
On the night of May 8-9, 2026, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference second-round playoffs took place. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-108 on the road to take a 2-1 series lead.
For the visitors, this was their second straight win after a blowout loss in Game 1. French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama delivered another near-fantastic performance: 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks in just 37 minutes on the court. Minnesota fought but couldn't contain the 20-year-old center, who shot 72% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc.
Details and Statistics
The game started with a shock for the home team. San Antonio seized the initiative immediately, and by the middle of the first quarter, the score was 14-1 in favor of the visitors. Anthony Edwards, returning to the starting lineup after injury, scored Minnesota's first point from the free-throw line, and then his team couldn't score for over nine minutes of game time.
It seemed the game would turn into a rout, but the Timberwolves showed character. Edwards orchestrated a 12-0 run and cut the deficit to a minimum—by the end of the first quarter, Minnesota trailed by just one point (22-23).
The second quarter was a tight battle. The teams traded attacks and went into halftime tied at 51-51. However, the second half belonged to the Spurs.
San Antonio won the third quarter 35-28, with the key factor being Minnesota's inability to contain Wembanyama. The Frenchman scored from under the basket, from mid-range, and from beyond the arc, forcing the Wolves' defenders to foul constantly. Overall, the Spurs made 25 of 33 free throws (75.8%), while the home team made 18 of 21 (85.7%).
In the fourth quarter, Minnesota cut the deficit to three points four times, but San Antonio always had an answer. After the 4-minute mark, the Timberwolves couldn't get closer than two possessions, and the final 15-point margin never appeared on the scoreboard—the visitors calmly closed out the game.
Game statistics (via ESPN and Sporting News):
| Metric | San Antonio | Minnesota |
|--------|-------------|-----------|
| Points | 115 | 108 |
| Field Goal % | 46% | 38% |
| Three-Pointers | 12/33 (36%) | 14/40 (35%) |
| Free Throws | 25/33 (76%) | 18/21 (86%) |
| Rebounds | 48 | 54 |
| Assists | 26 | 22 |
| Steals | 9 | 3 |
| Blocks | 7 | 7 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 12 |
Top performers for San Antonio:
- Victor Wembanyama — 39 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks (72% FG, 60% 3PT)
- Stephon Castle — 21 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds
- De'Aaron Fox — 18 points, 8 assists
Top performers for Minnesota:
- Anthony Edwards — 32 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists (41 minutes on court)
- Julius Randle — 19 points, 9 rebounds
- Jaden McDaniels — 14 points, 5 rebounds
Context and Significance
Before the series, Minnesota was considered the favorite: first, the Wolves had a higher seed; second, they eliminated the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the first round (4-2). San Antonio, meanwhile, beat Portland 4-1 and entered the semifinals as underdogs.
Game 1 confirmed the status quo: Minnesota won comfortably, and Wembanyama looked lost—he was often left without the ball and finished with low productivity. But in Game 2, the Spurs responded with a crushing 133-95 blowout to even the series.
The key factor was Wembanyama raising his aggression to a new level. San Antonio began actively involving the Frenchman in the offense from the first seconds, forcing Minnesota's defense to adjust. In Game 2, he had 19 points and 15 rebounds; in Game 3, 39 and 15. De'Aaron Fox also improved, and together with Castle, they give the Spurs one of the youngest and most dynamic backcourts in the league.
For Minnesota, the main issue remains Anthony Edwards' health. The team leader just returned from injury and came off the bench in Game 1. In Game 3, he played 41 minutes—an abnormal workload for a player recovering from an injury. The Wolves' bench is shallow, and Ayo Dosunmu, like Edwards, has limited playing time. Without 30+ minutes from their offensive leaders, Minnesota risks not keeping up with the pace set by the Spurs.
What's Next
Game 4 of the series will take place on Monday, May 11, 2026, again at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Tip-off is at 04:30 Moscow time.
For Minnesota, this is essentially the last chance to regain home-court advantage. A loss in Game 4 would put the Wolves on the brink of elimination: a 3-1 lead for San Antonio would leave them only theoretical chances to save the series.
Anthony Edwards will need to deliver another super-productive game, and Minnesota's coaching staff must find an answer for containing Wembanyama. Jaden McDaniels, the primary defender on the Frenchman, was clearly overpowered in Game 3. The Wolves will likely double-team the Spurs' center more often, risking leaving Castle and Fox open.
San Antonio enters Game 4 as the favorite. The team has found its rhythm, Wembanyama is in peak form, and the young backcourt plays with incredible confidence. If the Spurs win on the road, the series could end in the next games in Texas.
💬 Editorial Prediction
San Antonio looks stronger heading into Game 4. The team has seized the psychological advantage after two road wins, and Victor Wembanyama is in a state where even the league's best defenders can't stop him. The key factor will be Anthony Edwards' physical condition: if Minnesota's leader can't play 40+ minutes at full capacity, the Wolves won't have enough firepower to maintain the pace.
Prediction: A confident San Antonio win in Game 4 with a score of 118-106, making the series 3-1 in favor of the Spurs. Expect Wembanyama to score 35+ points again, while Minnesota begins to feel frustrated by their inability to find an antidote to the French phenomenon.
— Editorial Team
