Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 15 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs handed Minnesota the worst postseason loss in franchise history, beating the Timberwolves 133-95 to even their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
Stephon Castle had 21 points and De'Aaron Fox added 16 points for San Antonio, which shot 50 per cent from the field and 41 per cent on 3-pointers. It was the highest-scoring playoff game for the Spurs since a series-clinching 145-105 win over Denver on May 4, 1983.
Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each scored 12 points for Minnesota.
Edwards came off the bench again as Minnesota continued to restrict his minutes in his second game back from a hyperextended left knee.
Games three and four are Friday and Sunday in Minneapolis.
With Wembanyama playing more aggressively on offense from the outset, the Spurs put the series-opening loss behind them quickly.
Minnesota's previous largest postseason defeat was by 30 points to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 29, 2003.
Only the margin of victory was in doubt on Monday as both teams sent their starters to the bench with 10 minutes remaining and the Spurs leading 104-66.
After combining to score 21 points on 10-for-31 shooting in Game 1, Wembanyama and Fox combined to go 12 off 25.
The All-Star duo scored the Spurs' first 11 points as they raced to a 29-point lead in the first half.
The Spurs missed their first three shots, but Wembanyama followed the third attempt by flying through the lane and throwing down a right-handed dunk to open the scoring.
Minnesota were held to 35 points in the first half. The Timberwolves shot 29.8 per cent from the field before halftime and were 2 for 15 on 3-pointers as they fell behind by 25 points.
Spurs rookie Carter Bryant soared for a two-handed slam for his first points of the series and Wembanyama followed with a three-pointer for a 43-26 lead midway through the second quarter.
Back-to-back slams by Dylan Harper and Castle were part of a 11-0 run that extended the advantage to 59-34.
San Antonio have not lost consecutive games since falling at Minnesota and Oklahoma City in mid-January.
