San Antonio — Victor Wembanyama authored the first 12-block triple-double in NBA postseason history on Monday night, yet the San Antonio Spurs dropped Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 104-102.
The 22-year-old center finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds and an NBA-playoff-record 12 rejections, joining Andrew Bynum and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to record a blocks triple-double in the playoffs. Afterward, Wembanyama said he “mismanaged” his energy, noting that offensive struggles hurt San Antonio’s chances.
Wembanyama shot 29% from the floor and missed all eight of his three-point attempts, the most threes without a make in Spurs postseason history. Minnesota’s front-court tandem of Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle contested 14 of his 17 shots; Wembanyama went 5-for-14 on those tries and 0-for-2 with one turnover when defended by Randle in the second half.
Overall, Wembanyama and point guard De’Aaron Fox combined to shoot 10-for-31 with nine turnovers as San Antonio hit just 27.8% from long range after entering the series at 42% for the playoffs.
Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, guarded Wembanyama early, while Randle handled the assignment most of the second half. “He had a lot of blocks,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “He also had a couple of uncalled goaltends. We found smarter offense later.”
Wembanyama blocked two Terrence Shannon Jr. layups in the opening 40 seconds and had seven blocks by halftime, which ended tied 45-45. Minnesota built its largest cushion when Randle buried a 13-foot turnaround with 3:49 left. A Dylan Harper dunk pulled the Spurs within two with 30.9 seconds remaining, but Julian Champagnie’s 26-foot attempt at the horn was off target.
At 22 years and 120 days, Wembanyama became the youngest Spur to post a playoff triple-double, surpassing Tim Duncan’s 2002 mark of 25 years and 360 days.
“If I had been better, it would have been different,” Wembanyama said. Fox echoed the sentiment: “I know I played bad. You take it on the chin and try to play better next game.”
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday in San Antonio.
Source: ESPN
