Victor Wembanyama brings an uncommon agility and elegance to his imposing 7-foot-4 frame, making his command of the court for the San Antonio Spurs on offense and defense look deceptively simple.

Visible scrapes and welts on his extended limbs from battling for position inside and crashing the boards against the Minnesota Timberwolves underscored the effort behind his 39 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks during Friday's 115-108 triumph in Game 3, putting the Spurs up 2-1 in the Western Conference semifinals.

"It's bound to occur," Wembanyama remarked. "They're the Wolves, you know."

The Spurs preserved their perfect road record this postseason, securing their initial victory in a tight contest after dominating the first-round matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers by 12 to 21 points in each game.

"The team keeps demonstrating maturity," said coach Mitch Johnson.

Wembanyama leads the charge. The 22-year-old Frenchman, in his NBA playoff debut, has appeared in only seven games yet is already carving out a remarkable mark.

The sole other players in NBA playoff annals to reach 35 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in one game are legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal. Remarkably, Wembanyama achieved it with over 70% field-goal accuracy - 13-of-18 shooting, including 10-of-12 free throws.

"Thrilling to share company with those giants," Wembanyama noted, praising Olajuwon for imparting a spin fadeaway he converted over Rudy Gobert in a 16-point fourth quarter.

Wembanyama established a playoff record with 12 blocks in the series opener, though he rued his offensive output following the 104-102 defeat to Minnesota on Monday. He exploded from the tip in Game 2, imposing his will everywhere to fuel a 133-95 rout on Wednesday, and the trip to Minnesota failed to slow him.

"He's an elite defender worldwide. You never forget he's there," said Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu. "Absolutely, he's exceptional defensively."

De'Aaron Fox tallied 17 points for San Antonio, while Stephon Castle delivered 13 points and 12 assists alongside a team-best plus-17. Anthony Edwards posted 32 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota, with Naz Reid contributing 18 points and nine rebounds. The Timberwolves host Game 4 Sunday night, before the series returns to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday.

New York Knicks 108-94 Philadelphia 76ers

Jalen Brunson erupted for 33 points, capping the contest with crucial scores amid ecstatic Knicks supporters, as New York claimed a 108-94 decision over the Philadelphia 76ers at home to seize a 3-0 edge in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 4 looms Sunday in Philadelphia.

The Knicks methodically drained the energy from the Sixers in the final frame, expanding a slim four-point advantage into yet another double-digit win.

Josh Hart notched 12 points and 11 rebounds, Mikal Bridges supplied 23 points, propelling the Knicks and rookie coach Mike Brown to the brink of a second consecutive conference finals berth.

New York can afford patience with forward OG Anunoby, who's posted 21.4 points per game in the playoffs. He missed action due to a strained right hamstring and is listed as day-to-day.

Joel Embiid managed 18 points for Philadelphia upon his comeback, having sat out Game 2 because of a sprained right ankle and sore right hip.