Timberwolves level Western Conference semifinal series with Spurs following Wembanyama ejection
Anthony Edwards leads Minnesota to a 114-109 win in Minneapolis, tying the series at 2-2 after Victor Wembanyama was ejected with a flagrant foul-2
The Minnesota Timberwolves have secured a 114-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs to tie the Western Conference semifinal series at two games apiece. The contest concluded in Minneapolis on Sunday night, with Anthony Edwards orchestrating a decisive fourth-quarter performance that included 16 points in the final period. Edwards finished the night with 36 points, while Naz Reid contributed 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
The game's trajectory shifted dramatically in the second quarter when Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected from the contest. Referee Zach Zarba assessed a flagrant foul-2 against Wembanyama after an elbow strike to Naz Reid's chin. The official cited a wind-up, impact, and follow-through above the neck as the basis for the ejection. Wembanyama, who played only 12 minutes and 30 seconds of the game, recorded four points, four rebounds, and no blocks before leaving the floor.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson expressed relief that Reid was unharmed but offered a sharp critique of the incident. Johnson stated that while he did not want Reid to have to elbow Wembanyama, the Spurs star would have to protect himself if no one else did. Despite the loss of their primary defender, the Spurs mounted a late rally, narrowing the deficit to three points with free throws from Dylan Harper and threes from Julian Champagnie.
The Timberwolves ultimately sealed the victory through a final sequence of small-time plays. With 9.8 seconds remaining, Ayo Dosunmu made two free throws to put Minnesota ahead by one. Edwards later added a three-pointer to extend the lead, and Rudy Gobert delivered a dunk with 1:56 left to cement the result. Edwards attributed the win to diving on the floor, securing offensive rebounds, and effective substitutions in the closing minutes.
Shooting efficiency remained relatively balanced between the two sides, with the Timberwolves shooting 44.7 per cent from the field and the Spurs managing 47.7 per cent. However, the Spurs struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only six of 26 attempts from three-point range compared to Minnesota's 10-of-27. The Spurs' De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper each scored 24 points, while Stephon Castle added 20, but the deficit proved insurmountable in the final minutes.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch noted the Spurs' resilience, referencing their previous ability to win games without Wembanyama in the Portland series. Finch acknowledged that his team lost their way in the third quarter, allowing San Antonio to take control before the final stanza. The result leaves the series tied, setting the stage for a decisive fifth game.
