Victor Wembanyama responded perfectly to Timberwolves’ ‘rage-baiting’ in Game 5

Basketball is a game of decisions, and early on in Game 5, Victor Wembanyama had a tough choice to make. At the 8:11 mark of the first quarter, Ayo Dosunmu went right up to Wemby after the Minnesota Timberwolves guard made a tough baseline jumper and proceeded to talk smack.

Looking down at Dosunmu, the 7-foot-4 big man could have done a number of different things. Many of these scenarios could have gone horribly wrong.

In that instant, Wembanyama decided to smile, say a few words back at his opponent, and focus on the next play. Moments later, he was driving past Dosunmu and ferociously dunking the ball to the delight of the San Antonio faithful.

It’s not easy to restrain one’s emotions in the high-stakes environment of Game 5, but Wembanyama saw right through Dosunmu’s actions. 

“I feel like the rage-baiting would have been maybe one of their strategies. So I feel like I need to stay composed as a team,” the two-time All-Star said after the Spurs’ 126-97 win.

Basketball Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama learned a lesson from Game 4

The wrong type of retaliation could have led to another early exit for Wembanyama, who had been ejected from Game 4 after elbowing Naz Reid in the first half. But Wembanyama, who spent time training with monks in China during the offseason, had the wherewithal to channel his inner Zen and redirect his rage to the hardcourt.

With an even-keeled Wemby once again manning the paint, the Timberwolves struggled to find inside scoring (a category that the Spurs won 68-36). The easy looks that Rudy Gobert and Reid had the other day? Significantly limited, thanks to a French behemoth imposing his will.

Wembanyama, who finished with 27 points on 56.3% FG shooting, 17 rebounds and five assists, now has a chance to lead the Spurs to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in nine years. If Dosunmu comes up to him again in Game 6, he’ll have to make a choice again: Get his lick back immediately, or stay patient and put his team in a position to get the last laugh.