The Timberwolves pulled off a surprising upset in Game 1 against the Spurs on May 5, 2026, at Frost Bank Center. The final score was 104-102. This victory came despite Anthony Edwards’ recent injury, which raised concerns about the Timberwolves’ performance.
Jon Krawczynski noted, “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 would be hard-earned.” The game featured intense competition with 19 lead changes and a maximum lead of nine points.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Edwards contributed 18 points off the bench in his first game since April 25. Six players from Minnesota finished with double figures in scoring, showcasing their depth.
Victor Wembanyama had a standout performance for the Spurs. He recorded an impressive 12 blocks, marking the most in a playoff game since the 1973-74 season. However, Jared Weiss remarked, “This was the moment the experience factor came into play, as the Spurs looked like they could not find their half-court identity.”
The Spurs had a strong home record of 34-9 during the season but struggled to execute their offense effectively against Minnesota’s defense. Jared Weiss added that “the Spurs will need to find a way to generate better corner looks and get Wembanyama the ball on the roll.”
The Timberwolves advanced to this stage after defeating the Denver Nuggets in the previous round. Meanwhile, San Antonio eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers in five games.
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