SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs took a commanding 3-2 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a decisive Game 5 victory on Tuesday night, powered by an explosive performance from Victor Wembanyama and strong contributions from De’Aaron Fox and rookie Dylan Harper. The Spurs pulled away in the second half to secure the win at the Frost Bank Center, moving one victory closer to their first Western Conference Finals appearance in years.

Wembanyama delivered a monster double-double with 27 points and 17 rebounds, dominating both ends of the floor and frustrating Minnesota’s big man Rudy Gobert throughout the contest. The 7-foot-4 French phenom showcased his full arsenal, including highlight-reel blocks, precise passing and interior scoring that left the Timberwolves struggling to contain him.

Fox added efficient scoring and playmaking, while Harper continued his impressive postseason emergence with flashy plays, including a memorable double behind-the-back dribble leading to a dunk that electrified the home crowd. Keldon Johnson provided energy off the bench, and Stephon Castle delivered clutch moments with strong drives and defensive tenacity.

The game featured intense back-and-forth action early, with Minnesota mounting several comeback attempts led by Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid. However, San Antonio’s depth, defensive intensity and home-court energy proved too much in the end, as the Spurs closed out the fourth quarter on a decisive run.

Early Momentum and First-Half Battle

The contest opened with high intensity as both teams traded blows. Wembanyama set the tone early, scoring efficiently and grabbing boards while altering shots on the defensive end. Fox found rhythm with spinning drives and mid-range pull-ups, helping the Spurs build an initial lead.

Minnesota responded through Edwards’ athleticism and Reid’s outside shooting. Gobert battled inside but often found himself on the receiving end of Wembanyama’s length and timing. The Timberwolves used physicality and timely threes to stay within striking distance, forcing several timeouts as the lead changed hands multiple times.

By halftime, San Antonio held a modest advantage, with Wembanyama already approaching a double-double and the Spurs’ bench contributing key minutes. Harper’s poise as a rookie stood out, showing no fear against veteran defenders.

Second-Half Dominance Seals the Win

The Spurs exploded out of the locker room, going on extended runs that stretched their lead into double digits. Castle attacked the rim aggressively, finishing through contact and drawing fouls. Johnson added toughness and timely scoring, while the team’s ball movement created open looks across the floor.

Minnesota refused to fold, with Edwards attacking relentlessly and Reid knocking down big threes to trim the deficit. Yet every Timberwolves push met a Spurs response, often sparked by Wembanyama’s versatility or Fox’s speed in transition. Late in the game, San Antonio’s defensive rotations and rebounding sealed the outcome.

Final stats highlighted the Spurs’ balance: multiple players in double figures, strong assist totals and superior rebounding. Wembanyama’s impact extended beyond numbers, as his presence disrupted Minnesota’s offense and boosted teammates’ confidence.

Series Context and Playoff Implications

The victory gives the Spurs the series edge after splitting the first four games, with Minnesota winning on their home floor earlier. San Antonio now has two chances to close out the series — one at home in Game 6 and, if necessary, on the road in Game 7.

This postseason run marks a significant step in the Spurs’ rebuild. With Wembanyama establishing himself as a superstar and young talent like Harper and Castle flourishing, the franchise appears poised for sustained contention. Coach Gregg Popovich’s system continues to produce disciplined, team-oriented basketball even in his later years.

For the Timberwolves, the loss stings after strong regular-season form. Edwards showed flashes of brilliance but needed more consistent support. Gobert faced challenges matching Wembanyama’s mobility, highlighting matchup difficulties that could persist if the series continues.

Fan and League Reactions

Social media erupted with praise for the Spurs’ young core. Highlights of Wembanyama’s blocks, Harper’s flashy plays and Castle’s drives circulated widely, drawing comparisons to past championship teams. Fans chanted “Wemby! Wemby!” throughout the game and celebrated the franchise’s resurgence.

League observers noted the Spurs’ depth and chemistry as key advantages. The series has delivered entertaining basketball with star power, physical play and momentum shifts, living up to the high expectations for a competitive Western Conference matchup.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

With the series shifting back to Minnesota for Game 6, the Timberwolves must find answers defensively and offensively to force a decisive seventh game. San Antonio will look to maintain composure on the road and close out the series, relying on home momentum and star performances.

A potential Western Conference Finals matchup against Oklahoma City looms large, promising another exciting clash between rising powers. Regardless of the outcome, this Spurs team has captured imaginations and signaled a new era in San Antonio basketball.

The Game 5 thriller underscored the beauty of playoff basketball — individual brilliance within team concepts, resilience under pressure and the joy of a home crowd fueling a special night. As the series intensifies, all eyes turn to whether the Spurs can finish the job or if Minnesota can engineer a comeback.

The company, however, said developments in West Asia, volatility in crude-linked derivatives, rupee depreciation and supply-side disruptions remain key factors to watch, given the inflationary pressures they could create.

India’s second-largest paint maker posted a 6.1% increase in consolidated revenue from operations to Rs 2,868 crore during the March quarter, while EBITDA rose 12.6% year-on-year to Rs 481.7 crore.

Managing Director Abhijit Roy said the gradual improvement in demand witnessed in the previous quarter continued through the fourth quarter, helping the company achieve healthy volume growth of 11.8%. He added that the performance was aided by a better product mix and softer raw material prices.

Gross margin for the quarter stood at 42.3%, the highest level seen in the last three financial years. The company said margins improved both sequentially and year-on-year due to favourable mix enrichment, lower impact from price cuts in the economy segment and partial benefits from the withdrawal of anti-dumping duty on titanium dioxide.

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For the full financial year FY26, Berger Paints reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,128.8 crore, down 4.6% from the previous year. Revenue from operations for the year rose 2.9% to Rs 11,880.3 crore, while EBITDA declined 1.2% to Rs 1,833.3 crore.
The company said annual profitability was impacted by the implementation of newly notified labour codes as well as a one-time loss arising from a warehouse fire in Barasat, West Bengal.On the outlook, the company said staggered price hikes introduced from March onwards are expected to support gross margins amid rising raw material costs, while ongoing cost optimisation efforts should help maintain operating margins within the guided range. Berger Paints added that although competition is likely to remain intense, growth is expected to be driven by demand in construction chemicals, waterproofing, wood coatings and upcoming product launches.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

US prosecutors suspect a Thai AI company of assisting in the illegal smuggling of Nvidia chips to China. Alibaba is also reportedly involved among several other entities. The investigation highlights concerns over chip exports and potential violations of trade restrictions, emphasizing ongoing scrutiny of companies potentially bypassing U.S. export controls to bolster China’s technological development.

The United States has raised concerns over the potential illegal export of Nvidia semiconductor chips to Alibaba through Thailand. According to recent reports, US authorities suspect that certain Nvidia chips may have been diverted from authorized channels and shipped to the Chinese e-commerce giant. These chips are highly advanced and are crucial for artificial intelligence and data center operations, making their transfer a matter of national security for the US.

The suspicious activity reportedly involves intermediaries based in Thailand, which is often used as a regional hub for semiconductor trade. US officials are investigating whether these intermediaries bypassed export restrictions, raising worries about the proliferation of sensitive technology to China’s tech sector. Such allegations highlight ongoing tensions over technology transfer and export controls between the US and China.

Nvidia has not officially commented on the allegations. Meanwhile, US regulators are intensifying scrutiny of exports to prevent the unauthorized transfer of advanced chips, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding national security interests. This incident underscores the delicate balance between global tech trade and geopolitical concerns.

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SYDNEY — The S&P/ASX 200 index struggled Wednesday amid banking sector weakness and budget-related concerns, but select stocks delivered standout gains as positive company news and rising commodity prices lifted resource and consumer discretionary names. Aristocrat Leisure led the charge with a double-digit surge following strong half-year results and a boosted share buyback, while mining services firm Perenti climbed sharply on a major underground contract award.

Despite the broader market closing down around 0.5 percent near 8,625 points, the top performers highlighted sector rotation toward resources exposed to copper strength and companies delivering operational beats. Investors focused on earnings momentum and strategic wins as the federal budget’s tax changes weighed on financials.

1. Aristocrat Leisure (ASX: ALL) — Up Approximately 12%

Aristocrat Leisure shares jumped to around $51.51 after the gaming technology giant reported solid first-half fiscal 2026 results and expanded its capital return program. Normalised revenue reached $3.03 billion, up 6.4 percent in constant currency, while normalised EBITA rose 6.2 percent to $1.12 billion. The company lifted its on-market share buyback by $1 billion to a total of $2.5 billion, extended through May 2027.

CEO Trevor Croker highlighted market share gains and efficiency improvements. The upbeat update reinforced confidence in Aristocrat’s diversified portfolio across land-based gaming, online, and interactive segments, driving strong buying interest even as the wider index lagged.

2. Arafura Rare Earths (ASX: ARU) — Up Approximately 11%

Arafura Rare Earths soared after signing a binding offtake term sheet with Traxys North America for 500 tonnes per annum of NdPr oxide from its Nolans project in the Northern Territory. The five-year agreement, with a two-year extension option, supports U.S. efforts to onshore critical minerals supply chains for automotive, defense, and advanced technologies.

Managing Director Darryl Cuzzubbo described the deal as reflecting deeper industry-government alignment on resilient supply ecosystems. The announcement boosted sentiment around rare earths amid global demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, helping Arafura overcome recent sector volatility.

3. Perenti (ASX: PRN) — Up Approximately 7-8%

Perenti climbed to around $2.19 after its Barminco underground mining business secured an $850 million four-year contract with Bellevue Gold for the Bellevue Gold Project in Western Australia. The deal, commencing August 2026 with a 12-month extension option, covers development, production, and support services.

CEO Mark Norwell called the win a validation of Barminco’s leadership in underground operations. The contract adds significant earnings visibility and strengthens Perenti’s Australian portfolio at a time when mining services demand remains robust despite broader economic caution.

4. Sandfire Resources (ASX: SFR) — Up Approximately 4.9%

Sandfire Resources advanced to about $20.04 amid broad strength in copper stocks. Global copper prices hit fresh records overnight, driven by strong industrial demand and supply concerns, lifting sentiment across Australian producers and developers. Sandfire’s MATSA and DeGrussa operations continue delivering consistent output.

5. CAR Group (ASX: CAR) — Up Approximately 4.8%

CAR Group rose to around $27.26 as investors rotated into consumer discretionary names following recent weakness. The online automotive marketplace operator benefited from positive sentiment around resilient consumer spending in certain segments despite cost-of-living pressures. Broader sector momentum from strong performers like Aristocrat provided a tailwind.

Other notable gainers included DroneShield, Alcoa Corporation, and Capstone Copper, reflecting themes in defense technology, aluminum, and copper.

Market Context and Sector Rotation

Wednesday’s session underscored divergent fortunes across the ASX 200. While banks like Commonwealth Bank tumbled on quarterly updates and budget implications for negative gearing, resource stocks capitalized on commodity tailwinds. Copper’s record run supported miners, while contract wins in mining services highlighted operational strength in the sector.

BHP also posted modest gains around 2-3 percent on copper strength and a new non-executive director appointment. Emerald Resources and Kingsgate Consolidated joined the risers list amid gold and copper enthusiasm.

Analysts note that 2026 has seen increased volatility due to interest rate uncertainty, geopolitical risks, and domestic policy shifts. Selective buying in quality names with positive catalysts has become a dominant theme as investors navigate a choppy macro environment.

What This Means for Investors

The top gainers demonstrate the importance of company-specific news in driving outperformance. Aristocrat’s results and buyback expansion signal confidence in long-term growth. Arafura’s offtake deal advances critical minerals strategy amid Western efforts to diversify from dominant suppliers. Perenti’s contract win adds revenue certainty in a high-demand mining services market.

Market watchers will monitor whether these moves sustain into Thursday or represent short-term reactions. Commodity prices, particularly copper and gold, remain key drivers for resource-linked stocks, while consumer discretionary performance hinges on household spending resilience.

As the ASX digests the federal budget and awaits further corporate updates, selective strength in names like today’s top five offers a counterpoint to broader index weakness. Investors continue seeking growth stories backed by tangible catalysts in an otherwise cautious trading climate.

The session reinforces that even on red days for the benchmark, opportunities emerge for those focused on fundamentals and positive developments. With copper demand tied to electrification and AI, rare earths critical for defense and renewables, and gaming showing resilience, these sectors could remain in focus through the remainder of 2026.