Spurs Vs. Timberwolves Player Grades: San Antonio Blows Out Minnesota To Tie The Series

After dropping Game One to the Minnesota Timberwolves, there was a lot of talk about the demise of the San Antonio Spurs. Some ESPN commentators even suggested they could be swept in the series.

The young team responded with a resounding 133-95 victory over the Wolves, where every player but one scored a point. It was an utter and thorough beating. It was the type of performance that should inject some confidence into Spurs fans. It’s likely why the Spurs are -196 favorites to defeat the Wolves in the Twin Cities on Friday’s Game Three.

Before we focus on the future, let’s talk about what made them successful in Game Two in today’s player grades. As a quick reminder, these grades are based on each player’s on-court performance, going beyond just the stat sheet. A “B” grade represents the average performance for an individual. If a player logs fewer than 5 minutes or plays only in garbage time, their grade will be incomplete.

Victor Wembanyama

26 minutes, 19 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 7-for-15 shooting, 2-for-7 threes, +12

Wembanyama didn’t put up the eye-popping counting stats like he’s typically known for, but he was incredibly impactful. The big man made an effort to get more shots around the rim, attacking the glass and going right at smaller Minnesota defenders. Overall, he looked more controlled offensively. He didn’t post 10+ blocks on defense, but he still altered shots at the rim. He was a big reason why the Spurs outscored the Wolves in the paint 58-36.

Grade: A

De’Aaron Fox

26 minutes, 16 points, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 5-for-10 shooting, 2-for-2 threes, +24

Fox bounced back in a big way. He was in total control during his minutes. When things got tight, he gave the Spurs a bucket. He competed defensively at the point of attack, was active on traps, and snatched steals when Minnesota wasn’t paying attention. It was exactly the type of savvy veteran game the Spurs needed from Fox. Fox looks much more locked in after a lackluster Game One.

Grade: A

Stephon Castle

24 minutes, 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, 5 fouls, 6-for-10 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, +17

Caslte has been the enforcer for the Spurs in this series. His physicality has been incredibly necessary in both games. Minnesota couldn’t stop him from getting to the basket. He made all nine of his free throw attempts, managing to get the Wolves’ best defender, Jaden McDaniels, in foul trouble. His defensive pressure has been great, but he needs to find a way to stay out of foul trouble moving forward. San Antonio will need him to play big minutes in this series.

Grade: A

Julian Champagnie

22 minutes, 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 foul, 4-for-6 shooting, 4-for-6 threes, +19

That is how you respond to missing the potential game-winner in Game One. Champagnie has been red hot from three in the playoffs, shooting 58.8% from deep. He’s held his own defensively in this series, even when the Wolves try to pick on his matchup. This was a big turnaround game for Champagnie after Game One. It’s one her desperately needed.

Grade: B+

Devin Vassell

22 minutes, 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 3-for-9 shooting, 2-for-6 threes, +13

Vassell hit one of the craziest shots I have seen, where he jumped before catching it, then released it quickly to beat the shot clock and nailed it. It’s funny that it was one of the two threes he made. He missed some open shots in this one, which didn’t hurt San Antonio because they dominated every other aspect of the game. But the Spurs will need him to hit open threes as the series shifts to Minnesota.

Grade: B

Dylan Harper

22 minutes, 11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 5-for-10 shooting, 1-for-3 threes, +24

Harper is going to be a mega star. He’s not afraid of anyone and was a huge reason the team built its big lead at the end of the first half. He was incredible defensively at the point of attack. He was a thrill to watch run and operate the fast break. He and Castle have been the Spurs’ most consistent producers through two games of this series.

Grade: A

Keldon Johnson

19 minutes, 9 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, 2-for-8 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, +28

Johnson wasn’t able to finish around the rim, but his intensity was crucial in this game. He got to the free-throw line 8 times. Grabbed offensive rebounds and dove after loose balls. Even if his offensive game isn’t working, he can provide a lot of energy with his effort. He clearly turned things up another degree in Game Two.

Grade: B-

Luke Kornet

13 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 1 foul, 1-for-1 shooting, +22

Kornet played fantastic minutes. After a poor performance in Game One, the Spurs were actually able to increase the lead while he was in for Wembanyama. Protected the rim well and had some clutch tips to teammates on the boards. Just doing those things solidly while Wembanyama takes a breather will be a big factor for the Spurs’ success in this series.

Grade: A-

Harrison Barnes

15 minutes, 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 4-for-7 shooting, 2-for-5 threes, +18

Unc had himself a game! A lot of it was in garbage time, but it was great to see Barnes break out of his slump a bit. That behind-the-head, cock-back dunk was a thing of beauty. He also hit a couple of sweet-looking threes. Hopefully, just seeing the ball go in will help his shooting moving forward in this series.

Grade: B+

Carter Bryant

16 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, 1-for-3 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, +18

Bryant is going to play a role in this series. Spurs’ head coach, Mitch Johnson, wanted him to play physical defense on Anthony Edwards. He did a solid job, but he fouled a ton. Bryant has some much-needed energy and strength to help the Spurs in this series.

Grade: C

Jordan McLaughlin

10 minutes, 2 points, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, 1-for-1 shooting, +1

I love watching J Mac play. He made some great passes in garbage time.

Grade: B

Kelly Olynyk

10 minutes, 5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 2-for-3 shooting, 1-for-2 threes, +1

KO was putting on a clinic out there! He and Joe Ingles were going at each other in the final minutes of the game. This might have been his best garbage time performance of the year.

Grade: B

Lindy Waters III

8 minutes, 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 3-for-5 shooting, 2-for-4 threes, +1

Waters hit a couple of threes in garbage time, racking up 8 points in just 8 minutes.

Grade: B+

Bismack Biyombo

3 minutes, 2 points, 1-for-2 shooting, -4

Biyombo made a nice-looking jump hook! He almost got a reverse layup to go. Fun minutes from the veteran center.

Grade: Incomplete

Mason Plumlee

3 minutes, 1 assist, 2 blocks, -4

Plumlee made an awesome pass and had a few blocks. He may have been the only Spur not to score, but these were productive minutes from Plumdog Millionaire.

Grade: Incomplete

Inactives: Harrison Ingram, David Jones-Garcia, Emanuel Miller