San Antonio have taken a 2-1 series lead in their Western Conference semi-finals duel with Minnesota, thanks to another masterclass from Victor Wembanyama.

The big man delivered another match-winning performance with 39 points, 15 rebounds and more game-wrecking defence for the Spurs, who beat the Timberwolves 115-108 on Friday night.

Earlier, the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers by 15 points to take a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Wembanyama went 13 of 18 from the floor and 10 of 12 from the line, adding five blocks and a full night of paint deterrence as the Spurs won their second straight game after dropping the opener at home.

De'Aaron Fox scored 17 points, and Stephon Castle had 13 points and 12 assists.

Anthony Edwards had 32 points and 14 rebounds and Naz Reid added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Wolves, whose defence kept them alive after a woeful start but allowed the Spurs to shoot six for 10 from three-point range in the pivotal third quarter.

Minnesota will host Game 4 on Sunday night. The series shifts back to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Jaden McDaniels drew Wembanyama's fifth foul with 6:18 left and brought the Wolves within 99-98 on pair of free throws, but the Spurs never trailed in the second half despite never leading by double digits.

Wembanyama didn't flinch despite the foul risk, finishing with 16 points in the fourth quarter. His three-pointer that answered Reid's pushed San Antonio's lead to six with 3:06 to go. Reid tried another one near the end of the shot clock on the next possession that hit the rim and Wembanyama rebounded.

In Philadelphia, Jalen Brunson scored 33 points and sealed the game with big buckets much to the delight of roaring Knicks fans in leading New York to a 109-94 win over the 76ers.

Game 4 is on Sunday in Philadelphia.

With 2016 and 2018 Villanova national championship banners hanging in the rafters, the so-called Nova Knicks all took turns taking the fight out of the Sixers in the fourth quarter, turning a four-point lead into another double-digit victory.

Josh Hart had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Mikal Bridges added 23 points, pushing the Knicks and first-year coach Mike Brown within one victory of their second straight conference finals appearance.

The Knicks have the luxury not to rush back forward OG Anunoby, who's averaging 21.4 points per game in the post-season. He sat out with a strained right hamstring and remains day to day.

Joel Embiid scored 18 points for the Sixers in his return after he missed Game 2 with a sprained right ankle and a sore right hip.