NBA: Wolves win after Spurs' Victor Wembanyama ejected, even series

The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled even in their Western Conference second-round playoff series after defeating the San Antonio Spurs, 114-109, on Sunday night in Minneapolis.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 36 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as the Timberwolves capitalized on the ejection of Spurs star Victor Wembanyama in the second quarter to level the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Naz Reid added 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Minnesota. Reid was also involved in the play that led to Wembanyama’s ejection after taking an elbow to the chin from the Spurs center during a rebound battle.

Jaden McDaniels scored 14 points, while Julius Randle contributed 12 points. Rudy Gobert finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, and Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 10 points for the Timberwolves.

“We never expected them just to go away,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said. “They won a game in the Portland series without Wembanyama, so they’re a very good team.”

For San Antonio, De'Aaron Fox and reserve Dylan Harper each scored 24 points, while Stephon Castle added 20. Devin Vassell finished with 14 points. Wembanyama had four points and four rebounds in just over 12 minutes before being ejected.

The turning point came with 8:39 remaining in the first half when Wembanyama, attempting to protect the ball after grabbing a rebound, swung his right elbow and struck Reid in the chin. Officials reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to a flagrant 2, resulting in an automatic ejection.

Crew chief Zach Zarba explained the decision, saying there was “windup, impact and follow-through above the neck of an opponent.”

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson defended his player’s competitive mindset but clarified he did not condone the contact.

“I’m glad Naz Reid is OK and I didn’t want him to elbow him,” Johnson said. “But Wemby’s going to have to protect himself if no one else does for him.”

Minnesota led 60-56 at halftime behind 18 first-half points from Edwards, while Castle paced San Antonio with 14 before the break.

Despite losing Wembanyama, the Spurs opened the third quarter strongly and used a 20-8 run to take a 76-68 lead after a basket by Vassell with 4:33 left in the period. San Antonio carried an 84-80 advantage into the fourth quarter after Keldon Johnson scored late in the third.

Fox extended the Spurs’ lead to 94-86 with a 3-pointer midway through the fourth before Edwards took over. The Timberwolves star scored 12 points during a decisive 14-5 run, highlighted by a pair of free throws and a go-ahead 3-pointer that gave Minnesota a one-point lead with just over five minutes remaining.

Gobert’s powerful dunk with 1:56 left stretched the Timberwolves’ lead to 107-101 and helped secure the victory.

San Antonio made a late push after Harper and Julian Champagnie combined for four free throws to cut the deficit to three, but Dosunmu sealed the win with two free throws in the final seconds.

“Small-time plays win big-time games,” Edwards said. “That’s what we needed — diving on the floor, offensive rebounds and big defensive stops.”

Game 5 of the series will be played Tuesday in San Antonio. -Field Level Media/Reuters