Minnesota and San Antonio will be the lone NBA playoff game of the night. Game 5 is always an important game in any seven-game series. The winner of game 5 historically have gone on to win the series over 80% of the time (164-34 or 82.8%).
Maybe even more that who won Game 4, most people will remember Victor Wembanyama's Bill Russell-Esque elbow. As the story goes, Red Auerbach once told Bill Russell to throw one good elbow. Russell did not want to do that. "Throw one good elbow tonight and I promise you'll never have to do it again," Auerbach said. Russell threw that elbow and defenses no longer went and Russell as they used to.
Wembanyama was ejected for the 'throat check' elbow thrown and Minnesota capitalized on that ejection. Many debate shows and fans debated that Wembanyama should have been suspended for Game 5. He was not suspended and will be active for this game. The irony is that the NBA is being consistent on this issue. In Game 5 of the DET-CLE series, Daniss Jenkins 'throat checked' Dennis Schoder in the neck. The only difference was the amount of force and it happened on the run. That was not even elevated to a flagrant one.
The Spurs are a significantly different team when Wemby is on the floor. Without him, the Spurs were able to hold a lead for almost a full quarter worth of game action after he was dismissed from the game. However, without the best rim protector in the league, Minnesota won the rebounding, turnovers, points off turnover edge in that game. Ultimately winning that matchup 114-109.
Timberwolves vs Spurs live updates, highlights from NBA playoffs Game 5
1st Quarter-9:57: Victor Wembanyama makes a tip shot.
1st Quarter-10:51: Julius Randle makes a 14-foot running pull up jump shot.
where y’all watching from tonight!? pic.twitter.com/0VNyNalaLG
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 12, 2026
Game 5 ready 👽 pic.twitter.com/V1xjtPSVRT
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 13, 2026
How to Watch Game 5 Western Conference Semifinals: Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2) vs San Antonio Spurs (2-2)
Tuesday, May 12
Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBC and Peacock
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