Victor Wembanyama believes being put under pressure in the NBA Playoffs is bringing the best out of the San Antonio Spurs, who lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 2-1 in the Western Conference semifinals.

Wembanyama had 39 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and shot 13-of-18 from the floor as the Spurs moved one step closer to a first conference finals appearance since 2017.

His latest stellar performance made him the first San Antonio player to ever have 30+ points, 15+ rebounds, 5+ blocks, 3+ successful 3-pointers and a 70% field-goal shooting ratio in any game, either in the regular season or the playoffs.

Things were not straightforward for the Spurs, though, as they had to hold off a late rally, with the Wolves drawing within one point with 6:18 remaining in the fourth quarter.

And Wembanyama feels having to play with their backs against the wall is a good thing for San Antonio, who rose to the occasion once again.

"We haven't done anything yet. I think we showed some strength during this game, some relentlessness that we've got to prove we can sustain," he said afterwards. 

"Sometimes it feels like being in a more hostile environment, a harder environment, forces us to step up our game and be on our criteria even more."

Victor Wembanyama of the @spurs is the first player in NBA history with:

30+ points
15+ rebounds
5+ blocks
3+ threes made
70% FG shooting

...in any game, regular season or playoffs. pic.twitter.com/9902VPG3mh

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 9, 2026

Asked about the Spurs' defensive work late on, he added: "It was more like holding the ship together. 

"We had a lead. We needed to be consistent rather than doing incredible or amazing things.

"We needed to avoid mistakes. Those are really situations we haven't really been in, or I haven't. But I know it's going to happen in the playoffs."

Wembanyama's display also saw him become the fourth player since blocks were first recorded (in 1973-74) to finish a playoff game with at least 35 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. 

Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon – an idol of Wembanyama's – joined Shaquille O'Neal in accomplishing that feat three times, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it twice.

"It's good to be alongside the big fellas," Wembanyama said when that statistic was put to him. 

"I had to resort to some things that Hakeem taught me in the fourth quarter."