Timberwolves Edge Spurs in Thrilling Game 1 of Western Conference Semifinals
Published on May 5, 2026
In a tightly contested matchup, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night. The victory was highlighted by the return of Anthony Edwards, who scored 18 points off the bench after recovering from a knee injury that had sidelined him since April 25.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 21 points, while Edwards made a significant impact despite being on a minutes restriction. Minnesota Head Coach Chris Finch noted, “We talked yesterday that if he [Edwards] was able to go, he was going to come off the bench… He was all in, and he did a really good job of just staying in the flow.”
The game unfolded with the Spurs holding a narrow three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Edwards played a crucial role, scoring 11 of the Timberwolves’ first 19 points in that period. The Timberwolves surged ahead with a decisive 7-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from Mike Conley, which established a 95-86 lead with just under five minutes remaining.
The Spurs fought back, with Victor Wembanyama’s dunk narrowing the gap to four points with 43.6 seconds left. A quick steal and layup by Dylan Harper brought San Antonio within two. However, after a missed shot by Randle, the Spurs opted not to call a timeout and attempted a last-second three-pointer from Julian Champagnie, which hit the front of the rim and sealed the Timberwolves’ victory.
Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson praised his team’s effort, stating, “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.”
In addition to Randle and Edwards, the Timberwolves saw contributions from Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr., each scoring 16 points. Naz Reid and Conley added 12 points apiece, while Randle and Rudy Gobert each secured 10 rebounds.
For the Spurs, Harper led the scoring with 18 points, followed closely by Stephon Castle and Champagnie, who each contributed 17 points. Wembanyama, despite struggling from beyond the arc, recorded a triple-double with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocks, while Keldon Johnson added 11 points to the effort.
The series continues with Game 2 scheduled for Wednesday in San Antonio. Following that, Games 3 and 4 will take place in Minneapolis on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Knicks Dominate 76ers in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Semifinals
In another notable playoff matchup, the New York Knicks triumphed over the Philadelphia 76ers with a commanding 137-98 victory in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Jalen Brunson was the standout performer, scoring 35 points, with 27 of those coming in the first half.
The Knicks, who recently eliminated the Atlanta Hawks with a significant 140-89 win, have now become the second team in NBA history to start a new playoff series with consecutive victories of at least 30 points. The only other team to achieve this feat was the Boston Celtics in 1986.
Knicks Coach Mike Brown commended his team’s performance, stating, “I can’t deny that our guys are playing pretty good basketball… They’re trying to focus on the details, no matter what the score is.”
The Knicks are on an impressive run, having won their last three playoff games by a combined total of 96 points. Game 2 of this series is set for Wednesday night in New York, as the Knicks look to maintain their momentum against the 76ers.
