Wemby Shot 70% and Still Had to Bleed for It

Wemby Shot 70% and Still Had to Bleed for It

Fresh cuts and bruises on Victor Wembanyama's long arms after Friday night told a different story than the stat line. The 22-year-old from France had to fight for paint position and jockey for rebounds all night, picking up his fifth foul with 6:18 left, before finishing with 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in San Antonio's 115-108 Game 3 road win. The Spurs lead the Western Conference second-round series 2-1.

Wembanyama joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O'Neal as the only players in playoff history to reach 35 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in a single game — and he did it shooting 13-for-18 from the field, better than 70%, a threshold none of those Hall of Famers hit in their qualifying games. He credited Olajuwon for teaching him a spin fadeaway he used over Rudy Gobert during a 16-point fourth quarter. "It's good to be along with the big fellas," Wembanyama said.

San Antonio burst out to an 18-3 lead before Anthony Edwards — starting after returning from a knee injury suffered in the second round against the Denver Nuggets — dragged Minnesota back into the fight. When the Wolves pulled within one possession late, Wembanyama hit a three-pointer and the Spurs closed it at the line. "They just continue showing growth," coach Mitch Johnson said.

Gobble's Take: Seven playoff games in, Wembanyama is already in the same record books as Kareem, Hakeem, and Shaq — and the Spurs are two wins from the Western Conference Finals.

Sources: Yahoo Sports NBA · Yahoo Sports NBA

The Knicks Are One Win From the Conference Finals

Two weeks ago, New York was down 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks and the calls for Mike Brown's job were getting loud. On Friday night, the Knicks won their sixth straight game — a 108-94 road win in Philadelphia — to go up 3-0 on the 76ers and put themselves one victory from the Eastern Conference finals. They did it without OG Anunoby, against a Sixers team playing for its postseason life with Joel Embiid back and Paul George scorching for 15 first-quarter points. The visitors turned a four-point first quarter deficit into a 60-52 halftime lead and never looked back.

Jalen Brunson had 33 points, 18 of them in the second half. When Quentin Grimes hit a pair of threes to bring the 76ers within four in the fourth quarter, it was Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart who all scored to set up the victory. Bench contributors Landry Shamet, Mitchell Robinson, and Jordan Clarkson all delivered when the Sixers threatened. According to CBS Sports, the path ahead looks favorable, with New York entering any Conference finals matchup as the clear favorite.

Gobble's Take: Brunson keeps closing, Bridges keeps delivering, and the Knicks keep winning — one more and they're in the Eastern Conference finals.

Sources: Yahoo Sports NBA · CBS Sports NBA

Spurs Win Gritty Game 3 Over Wolves to Take Series Lead

The noise inside Target Center swelled with every passing minute Friday night, the kind of playoff atmosphere designed to rattle inexperienced teams. It didn't rattle Victor Wembanyama. He delivered 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks as San Antonio escaped with a 115-108 Game 3 victory over the Timberwolves, taking control of the Western Conference semifinal series. The Spurs are now two wins away from the Western Conference Finals.

San Antonio burst out early with an 18-3 run, but Minnesota clawed back. Anthony Edwards, returning from a knee injury suffered against Denver, attacked relentlessly and fed energy into the crowd. With the Spurs leading 102-100, Wembanyama took over — hitting a three-pointer, finishing at the rim, and adding a key defensive stop. He scored 16 points in the fourth quarter alone. Stephon Castle added 13 points and 12 assists. De'Aaron Fox chipped in 17. Minnesota dominated second-chance points 30-12. The Spurs won anyway.

Gobble's Take: Wembanyama joined Kareem, Hakeem, and Shaq as the only players with 35+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ blocks in a playoff game.

Source: Yahoo Sports NBA

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