A defensive menace all night, French superstar Wembanyama took a tight, tense and physical game out of the Timberwolves' grasp with a stunning offensive fourth quarter including 16 points.
The 7-foot-4 prodigy, playing his first NBA post-season, finished the night in Minneapolis with 39 points overall, plus 15 rebounds and five blocks.
"I'm built for this. I love this more than anything else," said Wembanyama.
He added: "We got the talent. We got the depth. We don't got the experience, but we don't care... We can go to the very top if we play like tonight consistently."
Minnesota had been boosted by the return of their own talisman, Anthony Edwards, to the starting lineup.
Edwards shone in the Timberwolves' game-one upset win but, still recovering from a knee injury, had managed just 12 points from the bench in game two's thrashing.
He immediately returned to inspired form, playing aggressive yet patient basketball to finish with 32 points, 14 rebounds and six assists - but it was ultimately not quite enough.
The Timberwolves started dismally, missing their first 12 field goal attempts.
Wembanyama shone defensively, with two big early blocks setting the tone, and forcing Minnesota to score from outside the paint.
The Timberwolves fought back, and the game was tied 51-51 at half-time.
Superstars Edwards and Wembanyama dominated the first half's scoring, managing 19 and 16 apiece, with everyone else combined shooting barely 30% from the field.
After the break, the game grew angry. As Jaden McDaniels and Dylan Harper tussled for a ball, a falling Harper's head collided with McDaniels' knee.
Moments later, McDaniels and Stephon Castle shoved each other, drawing multiple players on both sides into a fracas.
But Wembanyama kept his cool and finished strong, scoring two long-range three-pointers to seal the win.
"Greatness," said teammate De'Aaron Fox, of Wembanyama's showing.
"Teams are going to come out here and try to be physical with him. He fights through that, he doesn't complain, he knows what he's going to endure," he added.
"He comes out here and he produces."