Victor Wembanyama hosts block party, nears rare triple-double vs. T-wolves

Timberwolves vs Spurs preview: defense is everything

Minnesota’s hopes hinge on defense and Gobert, but San Antonio’s size and Wembanyama pose a major problem.

For Victor Wembanyama, the 2026 NBA Playoffs are a collection of firsts. Add another one to the list.

Playing in the conference semifinal round for the first time in his career, Wembanyama, the Spurs phenom forward-center, swatted away 7 blocks in the first half Monday, May 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking the most ever by a San Antonio player in a playoff half since 1997.

That total was just one shy of Dwight Howard’s record for most blocks in any postseason half in the play-by-play era.

Wembanyama’s block party didn’t stop there. He was up to 10 before the end of the third quarter.

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The 7-foot-4 All-Star now has a unique opportunity to reach a rare points-rebounds-blocks triple-double. He has 8 points and 10 rebounds to go along with his 10 blocks with 2:36 remaining in the third.

Wembanyama started the second half much like he did the first; he dashed past Rudy Gobert for a dunk and minutes later blocked an attempted layup from Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels.