Wemby dominance has Ingles' career on brink

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The NBA career of Aussie veteran Joe Ingles is on the brink of ending after another dominant performance from Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference Semifinals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

San Antonio claimed a 126-97 win in game five of the series at the Frost Bank Center, putting the young Spurs within one game of booking a Western Conference Finals match-up with defending champions the Oklahoma City Thunder following a 27-point, 17-rebound performance from Wembanyama.

It was an impressive turnaround from the 22-year-old French superstar after he was ejected during San Antonio's game four loss to the Timberwolves.

However, it also means Friday's game six could be the last for Ingles, as it's believed he will be returning home to play for Melbourne United in the NBL - as reported previously by ESPN's Olgun Uluc.

The 38-year-old has enjoyed a successful 12-year NBA career with the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic and Timberwolves but has been relegated to more of a locker room leadership role in his Minnesota tenure.

If the Timberwolves can respond with a victory on Friday, it would force the series to a deciding game seven on Sunday in San Antonio.

NBA BOX SCORE: San Antonio Spurs 126 def. Minnesota Timberwolves 97

San Antonio lead series 3-2

The San Antonio Spurs delivered a dominant 126-97 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, taking a 3-2 series lead. Victor Wembanyama posted a monster 27-point, 17-rebound performance to spearhead a balanced San Antonio attack that overwhelmed Minnesota from tip-off.

Game Snapshot

• Quarter scores: San Antonio 34-25-32-35, Minnesota 30-17-26-24
• San Antonio field goal: 53% │ Minnesota field goal: 39%
• San Antonio three-point: 34% (11-32) │ Minnesota three-point: 27% (9-33)
• Rebounds: San Antonio 50 │ Minnesota 42
• Assists: San Antonio 25 │ Minnesota 17

Wembanyama sets the tone early

Wembanyama was masterful from the outset, finishing 9-from-16 from the field with three blocks, five assists and 15 defensive rebounds. His ability to dictate both ends saw San Antonio open with a 34-point first quarter and an early double-digit cushion.

The Spurs never looked back, posting 25 points in the second to take a commanding 59-47 lead into halftime as Minnesota's offense sputtered to just 17 points in the period.

Barnes ignites the bench

Harrison Barnes provided the spark off the pine, detonating for 21 points on outstanding 8-from-11 shooting in just 22 minutes. His scoring burst extended the Spurs' lead and ensured Minnesota could not mount a serious response.

San Antonio's bench depth was further bolstered by Mason Plumlee's double-double of 12 points and 10 boards on efficient 5-from-10 shooting, helping the Spurs dominate the glass and the paint.

Fox and Castle steer the engine

De'Aaron Fox piled on 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Stephon Castle was on fire from the field with 8-from-11 shooting for 17 points and six dimes. Their combined playmaking generated 11 of San Antonio's 25 assists and dismantled Minnesota's perimeter defense.

Devin Vassell rounded out an all-round effort with 12 points, giving the Spurs six players in double figures and a clear advantage in offensive flow.

Third-quarter swing proves decisive

Trailing 59-47 at the break, Minnesota needed a response but were instead outscored 32-26 in the third quarter as San Antonio pushed the lead to 91-73. Wembanyama and Fox controlled the tempo, and the Timberwolves' lacklustre three-point shooting — a poor 27% on 33 attempts — left them with no avenue back into the contest.

The Spurs then put the game out of reach in the fourth, outscoring Minnesota 35-24 in garbage time to seal the 29-point result.

Edwards leads disappointing Wolves effort

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 20 points on 6-from-13 shooting and a perfect 7-from-7 from the charity stripe, but found little support in efficient scoring. Julius Randle added 17 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 16 points and nine boards on 7-from-14 shooting.

Jaden McDaniels also reached 17 points, but Minnesota's 39% from the field and dismal 9-from-33 from outside left them unable to keep pace with San Antonio's offensive rhythm.

By the Numbers

• Victor Wembanyama (SA): 27 pts │ 17 reb │ 5 ast │ 3 blk │ 9-16 FG
• Harrison Barnes (SA): 21 pts │ 8-11 FG │ 4-5 FT
• De'Aaron Fox (SA): 18 pts │ 5 ast │ 4 reb
• Stephon Castle (SA): 17 pts │ 6 ast │ 8-11 FG │ 2 stl
• Devin Vassell (SA): 12 pts │ 3 reb │ 2 ast
• Mason Plumlee (SA): 12 pts │ 10 reb │ 5-10 FG
• Anthony Edwards (MIN): 20 pts │ 2 ast │ 6-13 FG
• Julius Randle (MIN): 17 pts │ 10 reb
• Jaden McDaniels (MIN): 17 pts │ 6 reb │ 3-7 3PT
• Ayo Dosunmu (MIN): 16 pts │ 9 reb │ 4 ast │ 3 stl
• Mike Conley (MIN): 12 pts │ 5 reb │ 3-7 3PT