NBA: Spurs aim to keep rolling in West semis as Wolves' chances improve

The San Antonio Spurs will try to extend their strong form and home-court advantage when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series on Monday.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven matchup is scheduled for Wednesday in San Antonio, before the series shifts to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday, respectively.

Second-seeded San Antonio advanced to the semifinals after defeating the seventh-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in five games. Meanwhile, the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the third-seeded Denver Nuggets in six games to reach the West semis for a third straight season.

Defense is expected to define the series, with two of the league’s top rim protectors set to play central roles: the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert. Victor Wembanyama, the reigning unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, anchors San Antonio’s interior defense, while Rudy Gobert—a four-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner—continues to be a dominant force for Minnesota. The two French big men previously shared the floor on France’s Olympic team in 2024, with Gobert also serving as a mentor to Wembanyama.

“I’ve watched him evolve. I’ve watched the way he works, the way he takes care of himself, his thirst for knowledge,” Gobert said Saturday. “Outside of the talent, he’s someone that is a very unique soul, very unique mind. Nothing is an accident. It’s not an accident he’s having the success he’s having.”

A major storyline heading into Game 1 centers on the availability of Minnesota star guard Anthony Edwards, who missed the final two games of the Denver series due to a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise. ESPN reported that Edwards has since received medical clearance and is expected to play in Game 1, pending final pregame evaluation.

Edwards was a “significant participant” in Monday morning’s shootaround, and videos circulating on social media showed him going through shooting drills while wearing a sleeve on his injured knee.

Minnesota will, however, be without Ayo Dosunmu, who has been ruled out due to a calf injury that also sidelined him in Game 6 against Denver.

In Dosunmu’s absence, Minnesota leaned heavily on its bench in the series-clinching 110-98 win over Denver, highlighted by a career playoff-high 24 points from Terrence Shannon Jr.. Head coach Chris Finch praised his team’s resilience and collective effort amid injuries.

“I thought he’d give us a boost. I didn’t realize it would be like this,” Finch said of Shannon. “Not just with his scoring, but the emotional energy he brought. This is one of the best collective efforts we’ve had here.”

If Edwards is limited or unable to play, Minnesota may rely more heavily on Gobert, forward Julius Randle, and its supporting cast to carry the offensive load.

San Antonio, meanwhile, enters the series well-rested after closing out Portland with a 114-95 win on April 28. De'Aaron Fox led the Spurs with 21 points in that clincher, including 13 in the fourth quarter, while Wembanyama added 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks. The victory marked San Antonio’s first playoff series win since the 2016–17 season.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting Minnesota’s physical defense and competitive identity.

“They guard, they’re physical, they try to impose their will,” Johnson said. “They’ve got a lot of individuals that take pride in that. Their style and competitiveness don’t change, injuries or not.”

Minnesota won two of three regular-season meetings against San Antonio, both on its home floor, giving the Timberwolves added confidence heading into the series.

Fox could be a key swing factor. He has averaged 23 points per game in his career against Minnesota, one of his strongest marks versus any opponent.

As both teams prepare for a physically demanding series, San Antonio will look to protect home court early, while Minnesota aims to overcome injury concerns and continue its postseason run built on depth, defense, and resilience.

-Field Level Media/Reuters