On Tuesday, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama had a bounce-back performance in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In Game 4, Wembanyama was limited to 12 minutes after he elbowed Timberwolves big man Naz Reid in the face.
The physicality and intensity of the postseason have been at an all-time high between the Spurs and Timberwolves. Early in Game 5, things got chippy between Wembanyama and guard Ayo Dosunmu. At 8:08 in the first quarter, the broadcast showed the two players in the middle of a verbal exchange. Wembanyama also pushed Dosunmu away from him before star guard Anthony Edwards got in between them.
The two-time All-Star was asked about what happened between him and Dosunmu early in the game. However, Wembanyama shrugged it off during his interview after the Spurs’ 126-97 win.
“I feel like rage baiting would have been maybe one of their strategies,” Wembanyama said.
Wemby on exchanging words with Ayo:
"I feel like rage baiting would have been maybe one of their strategies" pic.twitter.com/wMOSvDxsAh— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 13, 2026
Wembanyama led the Spurs with 27 points, 17 rebounds and five assists. He took over the game to give the team a 3-2 lead in the series. He had help from 2026 Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson, who had 21 points off the bench. Johnson had an intelligent shot selection and made 72.7% of his shots.
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Rookie guard Dylan Harper also played an important role off the bench. He had 12 points and 10 rebounds (five offensive). He joined a historic list of David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard and Dejounte Murray as the only Spurs rookies to record a double-double in the playoffs.
Spurs’ Mitch Johnson Praises Victor Wembanyama’s Maturity
Wembanyama scored from everywhere on the floor for San Antonio. Like Johnson, he was smart with his shots, and he was commended by head coach Mitch Johnson for the way he played. According to Johnson, he saw a mature version of the NBA star because of his production.
“The one word I would like to use is mature,” Johnson said. “I think there was a lot that has happened in the last 48 hours in the last game. I think the way that young man came out tonight and played in a variety of ways, in a variety of situations, not just in terms of his production, was extremely mature.”
Mitch Johnson says Victor Wembanyama was "mature" in G5, came out to play in a variety of ways v MIN #nba #porvida
— JeffGSpursZone (@JeffGSpursZone) May 13, 2026
Wembanyama has matched the Timberwolves’ physicality in the playoffs. With the lead, the Spurs are looking to end the series on Friday at Target Center in Minnesota.
Related: Will Victor Wembanyama be Suspended After Flagrant 2, Ejection?