It was obvious — literally from the jump, when skyscrapers Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama squared off at midcourt — that every bucket of the Western Conference semifinals series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs would be hard-earned. Such was the case in a tight Game 1, which the Wolves won 104-102 Monday night at Frost Bank Center.
Anthony Edwards returned to the Timberwolves’ lineup — his first action since April 25 — and led a balanced attack while coming off the bench with 18 points in the sixth seed’s upset of the No. 2 Spurs.
The Timberwolves had six players finish with double figures in scoring, and the team countered a historic effort from Wembanyama, whose 12 blocks were the most in a playoff game since the stat became official in the 1973-74 season. Julius Randle led the Wolves with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Terrence Shannon Jr., who started in place of Edwards, added 16 points and five rebounds.
Wembanyama, who had 11 points and 15 rebounds to go along with his blocks, commanded the pace of floor from the start. The 7-foot-4 center and 7-foot-1 Gobert traded blocks in the opening seconds to tee up what would be a defensive clash between French national teammates. Wembanyama racked up seven blocks by halftime. Gobert had 10 rebounds and seven points for the game.
Here are some takeaways from Monday’s competitive Game 1.
Anthony Edwards returns for Wolves
Monday was mythic stuff from Edwards.
Most believed it would take him until at least Game 3 on Friday to try and give it a go against the Spurs after hyperextending and suffering a bone bruise in his left knee in the previous series against the Denver Nuggets. Not only did he get back in time for Game 1, but he took the game over in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 18 points in the first five minutes of the period to push the Timberwolves in front.
Then, after a quick rest, he returned to finish the game with 25 minutes played.
Edwards was playing nine days after the knee injury. He threw himself into rehab to get back at least five days sooner than expected, then spent the first three quarters trying to figure out what he could and could not do on the court.
In the fourth quarter, he pounced. He hit two 3s and fed Randle for another 3 to tie the game at 84, then put his head down and got to the basket to get the Wolves the lead.
His only blemish was a late turnover that Dylan Harper turned into a dunk to cut the deficit to two points. But Julian Champagnie missed a 3 to win the game, and the Wolves stole Game 1.
It was the kind of gutty performance that faces of the franchise give. No one believed he was going to play. Then, not only did he play, but he led. — Jon Krawczynski
A reality check for the Spurs
It’s reality-check time for the Spurs, who ran into the brick wall of the Timberwolves’ defense and could not get their half-court offense going.
Minnesota presented a starker challenge with their defensive length across the board, making it hard for Wembanyama to get anywhere unless he was taking Rudy Gobert in iso out on the perimeter. This was the moment the experience factor came into play, as the Spurs looked like they could not find their half-court identity, and Wembanyama struggled to create good looks until the very end.
De’Aaron Fox had a rough shooting night, and Wembanyama went 0 of 8 from deep, so the Spurs could not count on two of their key offensive engines to execute. Then, Stephon Castle fouled out heading into crunch time, taking away the team’s most reliable dribble penetrator who can help create open 3s.
The Spurs will need to find a way to generate better corner looks and get Wembanyama the ball on the roll, but they also need to get used to the length and strength Minnesota brings. — Jared Weiss
