Victor Wembanyama shone as the San Antonio Spurs drew level in the NBA’s Conference semi-finals while the New York Knicks edged into a 2-0 lead.
The Spurs are seeded second in the Western Conference and bounced back from a home loss in game one to thump the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-95 on Wednesday and level the best-of-seven series.
“I’m expecting this kind of response from myself, from my team-mates, so I’m not surprised by any means,” said Wembanyama.
The France international added: “There is some ego. They assaulted us in game one, we wanted to assault [them] in game two.”
This season’s defensive player of the year claimed 19 points and 15 rebounds as the Spurs romped into a 59-35 lead by half-time – Minnesota’s lowest-scoring half all season.
It was San Antonio’s highest NBA play-off score since 1983 and they have not lost back-to-back games since 11 and 13 January, a stretch of 49 games.
Jalen Brunson led a late charge as the Knicks, third seed in the Eastern Conference, clinched a 108-102 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid was ruled out hours before tip-off because of right hip soreness and a right ankle sprain.
The game featured 25 lead changes – the most for a play-off game in 11 years.
Brunson scored eight of his 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks pulled clear while Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey scored a team-high 26 points for the 76ers, who hope Embiid can recover in time for game three in Philadelphia on Friday.