Victor Wembanyama answered every question Tuesday night with a dominant playoff performance, and afterward, Paul Pierce made one of the boldest statements yet about the young San Antonio Spurs superstar.
Just two days after getting ejected in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wembanyama returned with a statement performance in San Antonio’s 126-97 victory in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Spurs now hold a 3-2 series lead heading into Friday’s pivotal Game 6 in Minneapolis.
Wembanyama finished with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks while shooting 56.3% from the field, USA Today reports. He also posted a game-best plus-24 rating and immediately established control of the game with a monster opening quarter.
Pierce reacted strongly after watching Wembanyama take over the floor on both ends.
“He is the most complete player we’ve ever seen play the game,” Pierce said. “Like, we can talk about Bron, Jordan, Joker, he is the most complete player in the history of the game. The way he influences the defense, then when he turns it offensive he’s making all kind of shots.”
The comments instantly sparked debate online because of the names Pierce referenced, including LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Nikola Jokic. But Wembanyama’s Game 5 performance showed exactly why so many former players continue viewing him as a uniquely difficult matchup.
Victor Wembanyama Dominated Wolves Early
The Timberwolves entered Tuesday looking to regain momentum after Wembanyama’s ejection helped shift Game 4 in Minnesota’s favor. Instead, the 21-year-old immediately flipped the pressure back onto Minnesota.
Wembanyama scored nine of San Antonio’s first 17 points and energized the Frost Bank Center crowd with a driving dunk during the opening quarter. He finished the first period with 18 points and six rebounds while shooting 6-for-8 from the floor and knocking down two three-pointers.
According to Stathead, Wembanyama became only the third player in the last 30 years to record at least 18 points and six rebounds in the first quarter of a playoff game, joining James and Jokic.
San Antonio carried that momentum into the second quarter with an 11-3 run that stretched the lead to 18 points. Minnesota eventually fought back and tied the game at 61-61 early in the third quarter, showing the resilience that helped make the Timberwolves one of the West’s toughest postseason teams.
The Spurs responded immediately.
San Antonio ripped off nine straight points before finishing the third quarter on a devastating 19-6 run that completely broke the game open. Minnesota never recovered as the fourth quarter quickly turned into a blowout.
Spurs Star Stayed Composed After Game 4 Ejection
Much of the focus entering Game 5 centered around how Wembanyama would respond emotionally after Sunday’s controversial ejection involving Naz Reid.
The NBA declined to suspend Wembanyama further, ruling that the ejection itself served as enough punishment after he missed the final 33-plus minutes of Game 4.
Minnesota still attempted to test him physically throughout Tuesday’s matchup.
During one tense moment, Jaden McDaniels grabbed Wembanyama by the wrist following a basket. Seconds later, Ayo Dosunmu stepped into Wembanyama’s face while exchanging words. Wembanyama smiled through the confrontation and repeatedly appeared to say, “I’ll be here,” while Anthony Edwards tried separating the players, per The Athletic.
Unlike Game 4, Wembanyama never allowed the moment to pull him out of rhythm.
“I feel like the rage baiting would have been maybe one of their strategies,” Wembanyama said. “I just feel like we need to stay composed as a team.”
That composure became one of the defining themes of San Antonio’s victory. Wembanyama embraced the physicality, controlled the tempo and delivered a performance that pushed the Spurs within one win of the Western Conference finals.
Pierce’s comments may sound extreme to some fans, but after another playoff takeover from Wembanyama, the hype surrounding the Spurs star only continues growing.
Paul Pierce Makes Massive Victor Wembanyama Statement After Spurs Rise