In a dominant performance Tuesday night, the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs routed the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference playoffs semifinals at Frost Bank Center. The win puts the Spurs one step closer to advancing, with the series now shifting back to Minneapolis for a pivotal Game 6.

For Timberwolves fans, the game offered a brief glimpse of a familiar face: former Tennessee Volunteer Julian Phillips. The rookie logged just three minutes of action in the contest, attempting a single three-pointer that didn't fall. While his stat line was quiet, Phillips' presence on the playoff stage continues a growing tradition of Vols making their mark in the NBA.

Minnesota's offense was led by Anthony Edwards, who poured in 20 points, but it wasn't enough to counter San Antonio's superstar rookie. Victor Wembanyama stole the show with a game-high 27 points, showcasing the versatility that has made him a must-watch talent this postseason.

The series now heads to Target Center for Game 6 on Friday, with tipoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. EDT. The winner of this matchup will advance to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round—a high-stakes scenario that has fans on the edge of their seats.

Phillips, who played his lone collegiate season at Tennessee in 2022-23, appeared in 32 games with 25 starts for the Vols. During that freshman campaign, he averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, showcasing the athleticism that caught the eye of NBA scouts. Selected by the Boston Celtics with the 35th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Phillips' draft rights were traded twice on draft night—first to Washington, then to Chicago. He joined the Timberwolves organization after his stint with the Bulls.

Hailing from Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, Phillips represents the next wave of Tennessee talent making the leap to professional basketball. As the playoffs heat up, keep an eye on how these former Vols continue to contribute on the biggest stage.