NBA: Spurs stare down 1-0 deficit, confident Timberwolves in Game 2

Playoff experience is something learned through repetition, but it is also a message the San Antonio Spurs are growing tired of hearing as they try to stay competitive in the postseason.

San Antonio will look to respond in Game 2 of their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves after dropping the opener 104-102 on their home floor on Monday, allowing Minnesota to take a 1-0 series lead.

“It’s on me,” said Spurs star Victor Wembanyama after delivering a dominant defensive performance in the loss.

Despite Minnesota struggling at the free-throw line, making just 12 of 21 attempts, the Spurs were unable to capitalize due to an inefficient shooting night. Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox, San Antonio’s top scorers during the regular season, combined for just 21 points on 10-of-31 shooting. The duo also missed all 12 of their three-point attempts, with Wembanyama going 0-for-8 from deep.

Even so, Wembanyama finished with 15 rebounds and an NBA playoff single-game record 12 blocked shots, but left the court in disbelief after San Antonio suffered its second home loss in six postseason games.

“I used too much energy on defense and things that didn’t really help our team,” Wembanyama said. “That’s on me. First thing I have to do is start making shots.”

He previously played limited minutes in a first-round loss to Portland due to a concussion, but was fully active on Monday night.

The Timberwolves matched San Antonio’s defensive intensity throughout the game, applying three-quarter court pressure and physical perimeter defense for all 48 minutes.

“We know it’s going to be a hard-fought series,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said. “That team has had success in the playoffs recently. They showed the mettle they have. It’s going to be a fight.”

Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards, who was a game-time decision due to a knee injury, scored 18 points off the bench. The Timberwolves also played without Ayo Dosunmu, who continues to recover from a calf injury after strong performances in the first round.

San Antonio entered the series as the higher seed and a favorite, seeking its first deep playoff run since 2019.

On the day after Game 1, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch pointed to his team’s aggressiveness as a key factor and also questioned several of Wembanyama’s blocked shots, suggesting some should have been ruled goaltends.

“Historic night, but when we looked at it, at least four of those were goaltending,” Finch said. “That’s eight points in a game like this, and that’s significant.”

Finch said Minnesota will continue attacking the paint, with guards encouraged to challenge the rim despite Wembanyama’s presence.

Timberwolves forward Terrence Shannon Jr. remained confident, saying he will continue to drive aggressively regardless of the shot-blocking threat.

“I’m not going to stop going downhill,” Shannon said. “He’s going to have to block it every time, and I don’t think he can.”

Minnesota forward Julius Randle added 21 points and 10 rebounds, helping stabilize the offense throughout the game.

San Antonio had a final chance to force overtime or win in the closing seconds, but Julian Champagnie’s three-point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim, sealing the Timberwolves’ road victory and stealing home-court advantage.

“We were a bit indecisive at times,” Johnson said. “That hurt us. We had some good looks, but we didn’t convert.”

Rookie guard Dylan Harper led the Spurs’ bench with 18 points, stepping in while starting guard Stephon Castle dealt with foul trouble and eventually fouled out with 3:20 remaining.

“In a game like this, every detail matters,” Harper said. “It’s a series, not just one game. We’ll bounce back and fix what we need to fix.”

Minnesota has now won three of the four meetings between the teams this season, setting the stage for a pivotal Game 2 on Wednesday before the series shifts to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4.

-Field Level Media/Reuters