Victor Wembanyama set the tone both on the floor and at the podium after the San Antonio Spurs’ 133-95 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday night. The 38-point margin leveled the series at 1-1 and marked Minnesota’s worst postseason defeat in franchise history.
When asked about the magnitude of the response after Game 1, Wembanyama said, “Yeah, of course we’re gonna keep doubling up on what worked and a few things that didn’t we’re gonna erase them. But you know, it’s an experienced team. We know they’re going to respond.”
He also acknowledged the emotional edge that often defines playoff basketball. “There always is in the playoffs. Magnify that,” he said when asked about any frustration coming off a loss and how it fueled his performance.
Wembanyama emphasized the collective defensive identity that fueled San Antonio’s dominance. “I love how everyone had everybody’s back. Tonight it looked like a system that worked,” he said, pointing to the Spurs’ swarming perimeter coverage and disruptive rotations.
The All-Star big man, who finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds, also highlighted the importance of communication with De’Aaron Fox, who helped set an early tone as the Spurs scored the first 11 points. “Oh, I mean, it’s of great, great importance as the biggest screener on the team and the biggest handler on the team with other guys along of him. We’re going to have the ball a lot, and he’s more experienced than most of us. So, yeah, we’ve got to keep communicating, especially on the defensive side.”
San Antonio’s approach was physical from the start, something Wembanyama said was intentional but also evolving. “Very important. Rather than forcing one’s nature, I would say discovering aspects. We’re a young team, we haven’t really tried it ourselves. There’s also ego in it. We got attacked in the first match, we wanted to attack in the second.”
He also credited adjustments against Minnesota’s pressure defense. “We were better above all. The biggest difference is that we defended and ran. We can’t play physically in transition.”
Looking ahead, Wembanyama stressed discipline over emotion. “We’re going to watch film because, as Pop says, when you win, you’re never as good as you thought you were. And when you lose, you’re never as bad. Or rarely.”
The series now shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3, where both teams face a new test after a momentum-swinging split in San Antonio.
