On May 5, 2026, the Minnesota Timberwolves stunned the San Antonio Spurs with a narrow 104-102 victory in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs. This unexpected win came as a result of Anthony Edwards’ remarkable return from injury, where he contributed significantly off the bench.
Edwards scored 18 points, including a crucial 11 points in the fourth quarter, helping his team secure the win. Coach Chris Finch praised his performance, saying, “He was all in, and he did a really good job of not like pushing and forcing things, even though he knew he was on a minutes restriction.” The Timberwolves displayed depth with six players scoring in double figures.
The Spurs, led by rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, who recorded an impressive 12 blocks, fought hard but fell short. Wembanyama also grabbed 15 rebounds and contributed 11 points. His blocks marked a playoff record since such stats became official in the 1973-74 season. Despite this stellar performance, it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
Key statistics from Game 1:
- The Timberwolves scored 104 points, while the Spurs managed 102 points.
- Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
- The game showcased a total of six Timberwolves players scoring in double digits.
- This victory marked an upset as the Timberwolves were the sixth seed against the second-seeded Spurs.
The series continues with Game 2 scheduled for Wednesday in San Antonio. Fans are eager to see if Edwards can maintain his momentum or if Wembanyama will rise to the challenge again. As both teams prepare for their next match-up, there’s an air of anticipation about how this series will unfold.
Kwame Ofori
Evelyn Mensah
Yaw Appiah
Ama Serwah