Wembanyama becomes first unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Wembanyama becomes first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner in NBA history.
Event / Sports
Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, with the 76ers overcoming a 3-1 deficit to win Game 7 109-100 on May 2, 2026.
2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 20 Apr, 08:36 UTC
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Ayo Dosunmu contributed 25 points and nine assists off the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 against the Nuggets.
Donte DiVincenzo had 15 points and four steals for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3, contributing to the team's defensive effort against Denver.
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 113-96 in Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series on Thursday night, taking a 2-1 series lead. The Timberwolves dominated defensively, holding the Nuggets to just 11 points in the first quarter, establishing a postseason franchise record.
Jaden McDaniels had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3. McDaniels was one of several key contributors in the defensive effort, adding a 3-pointer and a one-handed slam late in the game during one of his finest postseason performances for Minnesota.
Denver Nuggets power forward Aaron Gordon was unavailable for Game 3 due to a calf injury, removing an important source of energy from the team's starting lineup.
Nikola Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP, finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds for the Denver Nuggets in Game 3, but shot poorly at 7-for-26 from the field. Rudy Gobert's defensive effort against Jokic, following up from an inspired Game 2 performance, significantly stifled the MVP's effectiveness.
Jamal Murray had 16 points on 5-for-17 shooting for the Denver Nuggets in Game 3, as the team struggled offensively against Minnesota's strong defense.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson stated on Thursday that Victor Wembanyama's status for Game 3 on Friday night and Game 4 on Sunday remains uncertain. While Wembanyama is progressing through the protocol, only a league-appointed neurological physician can clear him to return to play. Johnson did not provide a timeline for his potential return.
Victor Wembanyama sustained a concussion during the second quarter of Game 2 of the Spurs-Portland series on Tuesday night. The injury occurred when Wembanyama attempted a spin move in the paint, was tripped and fouled by Jrue Holiday, and hit his head on the court as he fell. He did not return to the game.
Victor Wembanyama, the NBA's first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and one of three MVP finalists, is a critical player for the Spurs. This season he averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game. The Spurs finished with the league's second-best record largely due to his performance.
Victor Wembanyama will travel with the San Antonio Spurs to Portland for Games 3 and 4 of their first-round playoff series while completing the league's mandatory concussion protocol. The protocol requires him to pass multiple stages of physical exertion testing, starting with light activities like stationary bike riding and jogging, followed by on-court work, with results compared to his baseline neurological evaluation from the start of the season.
Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his NBA playoff debut, shooting 13-for-21 from the field and 5-for-6 from three-point range. His 21 first-half points were the most by any player in their playoff debut since the NBA began tracking play-by-play data in 1997.
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. Wembanyama dominated the Trail Blazers defense, which struggled to contain him regardless of which defender was matched against him.
Victor Wembanyama scored nine points in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter against the Trail Blazers, effectively putting the game away for the Spurs.
Wembanyama becomes first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner in NBA history.
Spurs beat Blazers 114-93 in Game 4 with Wembanyama's return; San Antonio leads series 3-1.
Timberwolves lost Edwards and DiVincenzo to injuries in Game 4 despite defeating Nuggets 112-96.
Dosunmu's 43-point bench performance lifts Timberwolves past Nuggets 112-96 in Game 4.
Timberwolves lose Edwards and DiVincenzo to injuries in Game 4 against Denver.
Knicks and Hawks split their playoff series 2-2; Game 5 heads to New York.
Thunder beat Suns 121-109 in Game 3 behind Gilgeous-Alexander's 42 points.
LeBron reaches 19th playoff appearance at 41; Celtics-76ers play historic 23rd series.
Four NBA stars are out with injuries affecting Rockets, 76ers, and Lakers playoff campaigns.
Spurs, Lakers, and Celtics each won pivotal Game 3 contests across three NBA playoff series.
Spurs stars Wembanyama and Johnson earn major individual awards amid strong regular season.
Wembanyama unavailable for Game 3 after concussion; Blazers level series with 106-103 victory.