Those who want to declare Victor Wembanyama the best player on the planet—this one or any other—can now use this game as definitive proof. The same goes for those who, with a ship already overflowing with believers, see him as one of the all-time greats, a player who reshapes the game itself. He’s already doing it. This game in Minneapolis (108-115) is, so far, his playoff Mona Lisa—a masterpiece that, typical of him, could be surpassed tomorrow when the Spurs visit again, aiming for a 3-1 lead that sounds like checkmate before heading back to San Antonio.
In their history, the Texans have won four of five playoff games in Minnesota. This one was crucial—and hard-fought—to regain home-court advantage. One more tomorrow, and… But with less than 48 hours left, that’s thinking too far ahead. The Timberwolves will fight with everything. They did in this third game, which, despite their offensive struggles, they likely would have won against almost any opponent—except one with Wembanyama.
Of course, their offense faltered because Wembanyama was on the other side. Everything starts and ends with the Frenchman, still just 22, playing his first NBA playoff run—hard to believe when watching him. His Spurs have won six postseason games, and at this point, no one can cling to the argument of inexperience or a “project in the oven” to deny they could win ten more and claim the title. But first, that’s again thinking too far: they must finally tame these Timberwolves, who, like in recent years, summon strength from anywhere when the playoffs arrive. They transform. But that won’t be enough against Wembanyama.
Playing well, or quite well, isn’t enough. Fighting hard, defending with savage intensity, dominating the boards, and crushing second-chance points (30-12) doesn’t seal it. Nor does Anthony Edwards returning to the starting lineup despite knee issues, playing over 41 minutes, and finding his superstar form for stretches (32 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists). It’s not enough that after halftime, Mike Conley, overwhelmed by the physical energy, gave way to Ayo Dosunmu, or that Naz Reid (18-9-5) went heroic in the fourth quarter as the Wolves seemed ready to rally a dozen times. The last chance came with a 100-102 nail-biter, followed by an 8-13 closing run—ice water in Minnesota, wolves cornered. A massive effort fell short at the shore.
It feels like nothing matters in the end, because on the other side of the court—and everywhere, really—stands Wembanyama. A player who always keeps the finish line a little further away: no matter how hard the opponent runs, he won’t let them cross it. His influence on every play is devastating, exhausting—physically and mentally—for rivals. Gobert does what he can in one-on-one duels that feel like an NBA version of Godzilla vs. Kong, but the Spurs star prevails because his range extends far beyond the paint, making the efforts of his fellow Frenchman, fresh from tormenting Nikola Jokic in the first round, far more complicated.
