Victor Wembanyama scored 39 points as the San Antonio Spurs moved into a 2-1 lead in the NBA’s Conference semi-finals – while the New York Knicks are one win from progressing from their series with Philadephia 76ers.
France international Wembanyama took 15 rebounds and blocked five shots against the Minnesota Timberwolves, helping seal a 115-108 victory on the road.
The 22-year-old scored nine of the Spurs’ first 11 points as they raced into an 18-3 lead, but Anthony Edwards, who scored 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, dragged his side back into contention and the match was tied at 51-51 at the end of the second quarter.
The Spurs led 106-103 with three minutes to go, before Wembanyama’s third three-pointer and a flurry of free throws helped the Western Conference second seeds pull away from their hosts.
In Philadelphia, Jalen Brunson scored 33 points for the Knicks as they won 108-94 to take a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semi-final.
The visitors had turned around a four-point first quarter deficit to lead 60-52 at half-time.
Quentin Grimes made a pair of three-pointers to bring the 76ers within four points in the fourth quarter, before Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart all scored to set up the victory for the Eastern third seeds.
The two best-of-seven series resume on Sunday, with the Knicks hoping to progress to the Conference final and the Spurs aiming for a third consecutive win.