Wembanyama and Spurs Outlast Timberwolves in Instant Classic 126-123
There are nights in the NBA that feel like a glimpse into the future, and Saturday night in San Antonio was exactly that. In a duel that had the Frost Bank Center rocking like a playoff game, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs managed to fend off a supernova performance from Anthony Edwards, scraping by with a 126-123 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of resilience for a Spurs team that has found its footing.
Wembanyama’s Clutch Gene Seals the Deal
The box score will tell you Wembanyama finished with 39 points and nine rebounds, but numbers don’t capture the sheer audacity of his late-game heroics. With the game teetering on a knife’s edge in the final minute, he didn’t just participate; he took over.
After Donte DiVincenzo buried a 24-footer to give Minnesota a terrifying 119-118 lead with 1:03 remaining, the air could have easily left the building. Instead, Wembanyama answered immediately with a smooth 20-footer to reclaim the advantage. But his most defining moment wasn’t a shot—it was a stop. Just 13 seconds later, he erased a reverse layup attempt by Joan Beringer, preserving the one-point lead and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
It was the kind of two-way sequence that makes you realize the Spurs have something special brewing.
Edwards Erupts for Season-High 55 Points
On the other side, Anthony Edwards was simply unstoppable. The Timberwolves star poured in a season-high 55 points, nearly single-handedly dragging his team to a comeback victory. His fourth quarter was the stuff of nightmares for the San Antonio defense; Edwards scored 26 points in the final frame alone, hitting 5-of-7 from deep.
Every time the Spurs looked ready to pull away, Edwards had an answer. He hit shots from the logo, finished through contact, and silenced the crowd repeatedly. He even connected on a massive corner three late in the fourth, punctuating the moment by pounding his chest at the sellout crowd. It felt like a repeat of their January 11th matchup, where Edwards hit a late dagger to erase a 19-point deficit.
But this time, San Antonio refused to fold.
A Historic Offensive Explosion
Before the late-game drama, the Spurs put on an offensive clinic in the first half that will be remembered for a long time. They shot a blistering 57% from the field and exploded for 48 points in the second quarter alone—outscoring the Wolves 48-22 in that span.
That 48-point outburst wasn’t just good; it was historic. It marked the franchise’s highest-scoring quarter since 1987 and the fourth-highest in team history. The ball movement was crisp, the spacing was perfect, and Wembanyama was the catalyst, scoring 23 of his points in the first half to match his season-high for a half.
De’Aaron Fox was the engine behind that efficiency, finishing the night with 25 points and a masterful 12 assists. His ability to control the pace and find Keldon Johnson (20 points off the bench) in rhythm kept the Minnesota defense scrambling all night.
Weathering the Timberwolves’ Storm
The game was a tale of two halves. After the Spurs built their lead, Minnesota came storming back in the third quarter, outscoring San Antonio 40-27. It was a gut-check moment for a young San Antonio squad. Wembanyama went scoreless for the first 10 minutes of the third, and the momentum had clearly shifted to the visitors.
Yet, they found a way to stabilize. Whether it was a driving dunk from Wembanyama to close the third or critical free throws down the stretch, the Spurs showed a maturity that wasn’t always present earlier in the season. They avoided a season sweep by the Timberwolves and proved they can close out tight games against elite competition.
“Our offense was really clean and sharp,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said postgame.
What’s Next for the Spurs
With the win, San Antonio improves to 29-13, continuing their impressive push in the Western Conference. They remain at home to host the Utah Jazz on Monday night, looking to build on this momentum.
For Minnesota (27-16), it’s a tough pill to swallow, wasting a masterpiece from Edwards. They’ll look to bounce back as they head to Utah on Tuesday.
But for one night in San Antonio, the future arrived early. And if this battle between Wembanyama and Edwards is any indication, the NBA is in very good hands.
