NBA: In return of Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves stun Spurs in Game 1

Julius Randle scored 21 points and Anthony Edwards added 18 off the bench as the Minnesota Timberwolves edged the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 on Monday in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Game 2 is set for Wednesday in San Antonio, while Games 3 and 4 will shift to Minneapolis on Friday and Sunday, respectively.

Edwards made his return after missing time with a bone bruise in his left knee suffered on April 25, a setback that was initially expected to sideline him for several weeks.

“We talked yesterday that if he was able to go, he was going to come off the bench,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “He was all in, and he did a really good job of not pushing and forcing things, even though he knew he was on a minutes restriction. He did a great job staying in the flow.”

San Antonio carried a three-point lead into the fourth quarter, but Edwards quickly shifted the momentum, scoring 11 of Minnesota’s first 19 points in the final period. The Timberwolves then went on a 7-0 run, capped by a Mike Conley three-pointer with 4:42 remaining, to take a 95-86 lead.

The Spurs made a late push. Victor Wembanyama dunked with 43.6 seconds left to cut the deficit to four, and Dylan Harper followed with a steal and layup with 30.9 seconds remaining to bring San Antonio within one possession. After Randle missed on the next possession, the Spurs elected not to call a timeout. Julian Champagnie got off a clean look from three at the buzzer, but the shot hit the front rim and bounced away.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson defended the final possession, saying, “Dylan did a good job pushing the ball and kicking it ahead. Julian had a fly-by and had a shot in rhythm. No problem with the shot. That was a great shot. I hope he shoots it every time.”

Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. added 16 points each for Minnesota, while Naz Reid and Conley scored 12 apiece. Randle and Rudy Gobert each grabbed 10 rebounds.

“It’s extremely important,” Randle said of the win. “It sets the tone for the series, especially on the road. We came out with composure and played good basketball, but we feel like we left a lot out there. We can still play better.”

For San Antonio, Harper led the way with 18 points. Stephon Castle and Champagnie added 17 each, Devin Vassell scored 14, and Wembanyama finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocked shots for a rare triple-double despite going 0-for-8 from three-point range. Keldon Johnson also contributed 11 points.

“Minnesota did what they do,” Mitch Johnson said. “They’re physical, they guard the basketball really well, especially in isolation situations. They take a lot of pride in that.”

Minnesota led 24-22 after the first quarter following a buzzer-beating dunk by Randle over Wembanyama.

The Spurs briefly controlled the second quarter, building a 35-29 lead after Luke Kornet’s free throws with 6:38 remaining. Minnesota responded with a 7-0 run, highlighted by a Naz Reid layup, to go ahead 36-35. The teams traded baskets the rest of the half and entered halftime tied at 45-45.

Harper led all first-half scorers with 11 points, while Castle added 10 for San Antonio. Edwards, Reid, and Randle each had seven points at the break for Minnesota. -Field Level Media/Reuters