Spurs rout Timberwolves by 38, even West semifinal at 1-1

The Western Conference semifinal between the Spurs and Timberwolves stopped looking like a coin-flip rock fight for one night. San Antonio smashed Minnesota 133-95(nba.com) to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4. The stakes are obvious — Game 1 had suggested a tight, defense-first series. Game 2 said not so fast. (nba. ([nba.com)How bad was it? Really bad. The 38-point margin was Minnesota’s worst playoff loss in franchise history, and the game was basicall(espn.com) benches with about 10 minutes left and San Antonio already up 104-66. (espn.com) ### Who drove the blowout? It started with Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, and then everybody joined in. Wembanyama finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds in under 26 minutes. Fox added 16. Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 21 poi(nba.com)ures. That’s the shape of a playoff rout — stars set the tone, but the real damage comes when the pressure never drops. (nba.com) ### What changed from Game 1? San Antonio’s main guys actually looked like themselves. I(espn.com)on 10-for-31 shooting. In Game 2, they came out attacking and combined to hit 12 of 25 shots. They scored the Spurs’ first 11 points, which mattered because it let San Antonio play downhill instead of chasing the game. (espn.com) ### Why did Minnesota fall apart so fast? The first half was a brick wall. Minnesota scored only 35 points before halftime, shot 29.8(nba.com). Anthony Edwards, still on a minutes restriction after a hyperextended left knee, had 12 points in just over 24 minutes and came off the bench again. Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels also had 12, but nobody bent the game. (nba.com) ### Was this just hot shooting? Not just that. The Spurs shot 50% overall and 16-for-3(espn.com)d force. Fox pushed, Castle followed, the wings got transition looks, and Minnesota never got settled. Mitch Johnson’s point after the game was simple — when Fox attacks, the whole team’s tempo changes. That ripple effect showed up everywhere. (nba.com) ### What does Castle’s night mean? It matters because it widens San Antonio’s ceiling. Castle’s 21 points, four r(nba.com)ey were part of the avalanche while the game still mattered. If Minnesota has to load up on Wembanyama and Fox, and Castle keeps punishing gaps, this stops being a two-star series and turns into a depth problem. (nba.com) ### So is the series different now? Yes — but not in the lazy “momentum has totally changed everything” way. Minnesota st(nba.com)oved San Antonio can dictate style, score efficiently, and bury the Wolves before their half-court defense gets organized. The series is now tied 1-1, with Game 3 on Friday, May 8, in Minneapolis. (espn.com) ### Bottom line? Game 1 made this feel like a grind. Game 2 made it feel volatile. That’s a big shift. The Spurs didn’t just (nba.com)esota’s defense can get run off the floor. (espn.com)