A historic defensive display from Victor Wembanyama was not enough as the Minnesota Timberwolves stunned the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 to take a 1-0 lead in their NBA Western Conference semi-final series.
Wembanyama delivered a record-breaking performance with 12 blocks, the most in NBA playoff history, while also contributing 11 points and 15 rebounds. The Defensive Player of the Year became just the third player to register a playoff triple-double that includes blocks since the league began tracking the stat in the 1973-74 season.
Despite his dominance, sixth-seeded Minnesota held their nerve to pull off an upset win on the road against the second-seeded Spurs.
Anthony Edwards made a key return from a knee injury, scoring 18 points off the bench to help the Timberwolves seal a narrow victory in the opening game of the best-of-seven series.
“We have to be better,” Wembanyama said after the loss. “We need to figure it out in the next 48 hours… I trust us.”
The series continues with Game 2 in San Antonio on Wednesday.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks made a dominant start, thrashing the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 to take a 1-0 lead.
Jalen Brunson led the charge with 35 points, including 27 in the first half, while OG Anunoby added 18. The Knicks became the first team in NBA playoff history to win three consecutive games by margins of at least 25 points.
Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse admitted the heavy defeat but downplayed its significance in the series.
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference clash will be played at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
