'We Respond Well': Spurs Thrash Timberwolves in Game 2, Even Second-Round Series

SAN ANTONIO — After a disappointing Game 1 for the San Antonio Spurs' stars, they responded with determined scoring and dominant defense for a 133-95 win in Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves to even the Western Conference Semifinals series 1-1.

De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama combined for just 21 points in the series-opening loss, but poured 28 points in the first half of Wednesday night's win; Stephon Castle led all scorers with 21, and the Spurs built a 40-point lead in a playoff game for the second time in franchise history.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson credited his squad's relentless defense for the win.

"It was very consistent," Johnson said. "It had an appropriate level of physicality and contact, connectivity ... and guys anticipating what their teammate was going to do."

The Spurs jumped out to an early lead and held a double-digit advantage for most of the game. San Antonio won the first half 59-35, holding Minnesota to its lowest scoring half of the entire season. The Spurs, meanwhile, scored 34 points in the paint in the first half. Minnesota turned it over 22 times in the game, and the Spurs outscored it 29-5 on the fast break.

After both Wembanyama and Fox both said they could have played better in the opener, they came out of the gate in Game 2 with pick and roll after pick and roll to pressure the rim and slice up Minnesota's defense. Fox hit a few 3-pointers as San Antonio started slow from beyond the arc, and Wembanyama imposed his will near the basket on both ends.

"We got punked," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said simply.

Castle pressured the rim, got to the free throw line, and played hard-nosed defense all night. After fouling out of two of the last three games, he flipped the script and stayed out of trouble while getting Timberwolves onto thin ice. He put a third foul on Jaden McDaniels early in the second quarter, forcing him to the bench and changing the nature of the game.

Anthony Edwards' surprising return swung Game 1 toward the Timberwolves, and the Spurs adjusted by double teaming him often throughout the game to force the ball out of his hands. Edwards came off the bench once again as he works his way back from a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise. He scored 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting, turning it over four times with no assists.

Rookie Dylan Harper continued his run of strong form in the playoffs, stuffing the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals off the bench. San Antonio outscored Minnesota by 24 points in his 22 minutes on the floor.

"What's the most impressive for me," Wembanyama said of Harper," is the way he controls his body. His body awareness ... on drives, jumps — you can see that."

Julian Champagnie ripped off a personal 9-0 run in the third quarter as the Spurs pushed their lead as high as 39 points, and he hit four 3-pointers in the period. Devin Vassell joined them all in double-figure scoring hitting some triples and spreading the ball around with four assists.

Keldon Johnson almost got there with nine points, 10 rebounds, and a team-high plus-28. Harrison Barnes got to 12, punctuating the win with a dunk in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota's Ayo Dosunmu missed the opener with calf soreness and came back for Game 2, but left after halftime with a sore heel.

San Antonio, meanwhile, got a much-needed injection of size and athleticism on the wing as Carter Bryant played after missing Monday night's affair with a foot sprain. On Wednesday night he helped match Minnesota's size on the wing, as did Luke Kornet.

The Spurs will now pack their bags and head to Minneapolis, hoping to win at least one game on the road to reclaim home-court advantage in the series.

But they'll enjoy the win for a little longer before they get there.

"I think we respond well to adversity," Castle said. "I think we've done that all year. I don't think we were too shell-shocked coming out of Game 1. We knew why we lost. We addressed it right away, and that's what carried us through."

Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves from Target Center is set for Friday at 8:30 p.m. Central on Prime.

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