SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — Victor Wembanyama delivered another commanding performance, finishing with 27 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks, and the San Antonio Spurs overwhelmed the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 on Tuesday night to seize a 3-2 lead in their second-round playoff series.

Wembanyama, who was ejected from Game 4 and limited to four points in a loss, responded with a dominant all-around display at Frost Bank Center before a crowd of 19,345. He scored 12 points in the first quarter alone, setting the tone as the Spurs built an early cushion they never relinquished. Keldon Johnson added 21 points off the bench, De’Aaron Fox had 18 points and five assists, and rookie Stephon Castle chipped in 17 points and six assists.

The Spurs connected on 50 percent of their field goals and 39 percent from three-point range, while Minnesota shot 44 percent from the floor and 32 percent from beyond the arc. San Antonio’s 32-point third quarter pushed its lead to 91-73, and the Timberwolves could not recover.

Anthony Edwards, limited to eight first-half points, finished with 20 for Minnesota. Julius Randle notched 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaden McDaniels added 17 points. Ayo Dosunmu contributed 16 points and nine rebounds but the Timberwolves never led after the opening minutes.

The game turned decisively in the first quarter when Wembanyama went on a personal tear. After Rudy Gobert was assessed a flagrant foul for making contact with Wembanyama on a jump ball, the Spurs’ forward sank three free throws and followed with a tip-in, a three-pointer and a driving dunk to put San Antonio up 24-12. The Spurs led 34-30 after the opening period.

Minnesota struggled offensively in the second quarter, managing just 17 points, while San Antonio methodically added 25. The Spurs took a 59-47 advantage into halftime, with Wembanyama collecting 14 points and eight rebounds by the break.

The Timberwolves briefly threatened in the third quarter. Ayo Dosunmu and Jaden McDaniels hit three-pointers to cut the deficit to 61-57 early in the period, but the Spurs responded with a 12-0 run. Julian Champagnie knocked down a three, Castle scored on a driving layup, and Keldon Johnson’s free throws stretched the lead back to 73-61. By the end of the quarter, San Antonio led 91-73.

Minnesota made one last push in the fourth. Edwards’ jumper and Randle’s dunk pulled the Timberwolves within 93-85 with 10 minutes left. But the Spurs answered with a flurry. Castle drove for a dunk, Fox converted a pullup jumper, and Devin Vassell drilled a three-pointer to make it 100-89 with seven minutes remaining.

After Edwards’ turnover led to Castle’s fast-break dunk, San Antonio’s lead swelled to 102-89. Minnesota called timeout but never got closer than six points the rest of the way. Johnson’s turnaround jumper and a Harper dunk pushed the margin to 115-106, and the Spurs cruised from there.

Wembanyama’s presence was felt on both ends. He recorded his third double-double of the series and added five assists and three blocks. His 17 rebounds were a game high, and he altered countless shots around the rim.

For Minnesota, Randle worked hard inside but shot 6 of 16 from the field. McDaniels provided a spark with 17 points, but the Timberwolves’ supporting cast failed to keep pace. Naz Reid had 12 points and five rebounds off the bench, and Mike Conley contributed two early three-pointers before being slowed by San Antonio’s defense.

The Spurs’ depth was a major factor. Johnson’s 21 points came in just 22 minutes, and Harper recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Julian Champagnie added eight points and five rebounds, while Vassell chipped in 10 points. San Antonio’s bench outscored Minnesota’s reserves 45-31.

The matchup was billed as a pivotal Game 5 after the teams split the first four meetings. Minnesota took Game 1 on the road, 104-102, and Game 4 at home, 114-109. San Antonio answered with a 133-95 rout in Game 3 and a 115-108 victory in Game 2.

The Timberwolves now face elimination in Game 6 on Friday in Minneapolis. The winner of the series will face Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of San Antonio 121, Minnesota 108, with the Spurs given an 80.10 percent probability to win. San Antonio was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -9.5. The total score of 223 went under the over/under line of 216.5.