NBA playoffs: with Wembanyama, it’s back to partying like back in 2017

Now there is no longer any doubt. Wembanyama is literally dragging the Spurs to the top of the NBA. The French ace is the main reason why the franchise is super competitive again. On the night, San Antonio closed out practice against Portland. By winning Game 5, the Spurs clinched a pass to the Western Conference semifinals, an achievement that had been missing since way back in 2017.

Wembanyama, in the fifth act of the series, put up 17 points, 14 rebounds and also rifled six wicks. The San Antonio Spurs never trailed. In the end, the Portland Trail Blazers were beaten 114-95. The Spurs will face the winner of the series between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves lead the series 3-2.

San Antonio thus qualifies for the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2017, when it defeated the Houston Rockets before losing Leonard to an ankle injury and then being swept by the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Finals.

In the night’s other games, big win for Philadelphia, which surprised Boston by taking home Game 5: 113-97 the final, with 33 points from a dominant Embiid. The Celtics lead the series 3-2. New York smiles as it wins Game 5 with Atlanta (126-97, 39 points by Brunson)) and moves to 3-2.