San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson hailed Victor Wembanyama’s maturity after watching the French superstar overcome a difficult 48 hours to deliver a masterclass against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Two days on from his first career ejection for throwing an elbow at Naz Reid, Wembanyama delivered another knock-out blow to Minnesota as the Spurs seized a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference semi-finals.
The 22-year-old poured in 27 points and also added 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks as the Spurs won 126-97 with the series now moving back to Minneapolis for Game Six on Friday.
Wembanyama got the Spurs off to a flier, scoring 18 points in the first quarter.
“It’s super important for us the way we started the game because it sets the tone,” Wembanyama said. “I was fresh, feeling good. Honestly, it’s hard to tell if it was just Game 5. Obviously, I’m going to be excited. We’re going to have butterflies. Excitement is not something abnormal at this point in the play-offs.
“I feel like the rage-baiting would have been maybe one of the strategies [used by the Timberwolves]. I feel like I need to stay composed.”
Johnson hails Wembanyama
That composure shone through, much to Johnson’s admiration.
“There was a lot that happened in the last 48 hours,” Johnson said. “I think how that young man came out tonight and played in a variety of ways in a variety of situations, not just in terms of his production, was extremely mature.”
Wembanyama’s team-mate Stephon Castle echoed Johnson’s thoughts, adding: “I feel like we got the Vic you’ve seen all year.
“I think his maturity level was off the charts. He played smart, didn’t really foul much, took the shots that were there for him. When he’s playing like that, playing aggressively, with everything he brings for us defensively, I feel like we’re hard to beat. Just where his mindset has been for the last 48 hours, I know he wanted to finish Game Four. But not letting that get to him and coming out and playing like that was a big reason why we won.”
Edwards in awe of Wembanyama’s display
Defeat puts the Timberwolves on the brink of elimination but Anthony Edwards was typically confident that it is not over yet.
“I don’t see nobody in our locker room that’s too worried,” Edwards said. “There’s another basketball game. Come out, put your boots on and get ready to go to war.”
Edwards top scored for Minnesota with 20 points, Julius Randle and Jade McDaniels adding 17 apiece, but even he bowed down to Wembanyama’s brilliance.
“Some of the stuff Wemby was doing you don’t really have too much of an answer for,” he added. “You just hope he misses.”
