NBA Playoffs: Victor Wembanyama shines as San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks win

Victor Wembanyama shined as the New York Knicks took a 2-0 lead as the San Antonio Spurs drew in the NBA’s conference semifinals.

The Spurs are seeded second in the Western Conference and bounce back from the A Home defeat in the first match Wednesday to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-95 and even the best-of-seven series.

“I expect this kind of reaction from myself, from my teammates, so I’m not surprised at all,” said Wembanyama.

The France international added: “There is some pride. They attacked us in the first match, we wanted to attack (them) in the second.”

This season’s Defensive Player of the Year claimed 19 points and 15 rebounds as the Spurs took a 59-35 halftime lead — Minnesota’s lowest-scoring half.

It was San Antonio’s highest NBA playoff score since 1983, and they hadn’t lost back-to-back games since Jan. 11 and 13, a stretch of 49 games.

Jalen Brunson led a late charge as the Knicks, the third seed in the Eastern Conference, cruised to a 108-102 home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid was ruled out hours before tip-off with right hip soreness and a sprained right ankle.

The game featured 25 lead changes – the most for a playoff game in 11 years.

Brunson scored eight of his 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks pulled clear while Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Tyrese Maxey scored a team-high 26 points for the 76ers, who hope Embiid can recover in time for Friday’s game three in Philadelphia.