Wembanyama Drops 22 Points in 17 Minutes as Spurs Fight 3-2 Elimination Deficit
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 28
Wembanyama Drops 22 Points in 17 Minutes as Spurs Fight 3-2 Elimination Deficit
9 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 28
Victor Wembanyama poured in 22 points with 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block in 17 minutes Thursday as San Antonio tried to extend the Western Conference finals in Game 6 against Oklahoma City.
The burst came after a subdued Game 5 loss left the Spurs down 3-2 and facing elimination, with Wembanyama opening Game 6 with far more urgency and aggression.
He shot 9-of-16 from the field and 4-of-8 from 3-point range, giving San Antonio efficient scoring from its star in a must-win spot.
The performance underscored a theme of the Spurs' playoff run: they can challenge top opponents when Wembanyama is at his best.
Has Wembanyama cracked the code to defeat the Thunder's controversial and physical defensive tactics?
Can the young phenom dethrone the defending champions in a winner-take-all showdown after forcing Game 7?
With officiating under fire, will the Spurs-Thunder finale be decided by skill or by the referees' whistles?