Edwards, Timberwolves Survive Late-Game Thriller to Edge Out Wembanyama and Spurs 104-103

You could see the fatigue on the faces of every player between the Timberwolves and Spurs on the floor at the Target Center Sunday night. Less than 24 hours after suffering a demoralizing loss to the Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves looked heavy-legged and out of sorts early against a San Antonio Spurs team that was equally exhausted but running on the fumes of Victor Wembanyama’s brilliance.

But in the NBA, tired legs are often overcome by pure adrenaline and sheer will. In a game that featured wild momentum swings and a marquee matchup between two of the league’s brightest young superstars, the Timberwolves dug deep into their reserves to pull off a gritty 104-103 victory over San Antonio.

It wasn’t pretty, and for long stretches, it looked like Minnesota was going to drop back-to-back games. Yet, when the final buzzer sounded, the Target Center erupted, celebrating a win that felt like it meant just a little bit more than a standard regular-season notch in the win column.

Edwards and the Timberwolves rally when it matters most

For the first three quarters, the narrative belonged entirely to the visitors. The Spurs, riding high from a win over Boston the night before, seemed to have an answer for everything Minnesota threw at them. By halftime, Minnesota trailed by double digits, struggling to find a rhythm against San Antonio’s length.

But the fourth quarter was a different story entirely.

Facing a deficit and the prospect of a disappointing weekend, the Timberwolves flipped a defensive switch that San Antonio simply couldn’t handle. Minnesota outscored the Spurs 33-18 in the final frame, turning a comfortable Spurs lead into a white-knuckle finish.

At the center of it all was Anthony Edwards. Edwards, who recently surpassed the 10,000 career point mark, embraced the moment. He attacked the rim relentlessly in the closing minutes, securing a crucial “hoop and the harm” that swung the energy entirely in Minnesota’s favor.

“Now, it’s just fun,” Edwards said regarding the defensive attention he receives.

And answer he did. But he didn’t do it alone.

Stifling the “Alien”: How Minnesota handled Wembanyama

The biggest storyline coming into the night was the battle between the Timberwolves’ interior defense and the singular force that is Victor Wembanyama. Early on, it looked like the French phenom was going to run Minnesota out of their own building.

Wembanyama was spectacular in the first half, pouring in 16 points and altering shots with his terrifying wingspan. He finished the night with a game-high 29 points on 8-of-18 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. When he was in rhythm, the Timberwolves simply had no answer.

However, the game changed when Minnesota’s physicality ramped up. Rudy Gobert, facing his fellow countryman, was a rock in the paint. Gobert finished with 2 points and 14 rebounds while anchoring a defense that finally clamped down when the game was on the line.

The Timberwolves made a concerted effort to speed Wembanyama up in the second half, forcing him into tougher spots and denying him the easy looks he feasted on early. It was a collective effort, with Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels helping crowd the young superstar, proving that while you can’t stop Wembanyama, you can make him work hard enough to tire him out.

Depth and defense save the day

While Edwards and Gobert grabbed the headlines, the Timberwolves don’t win this game without their supporting cast. In a game decided by a single point, every possession matters, and Minnesota got crucial contributions from up and down the roster.

Donte DiVincenzo provided a necessary spark off the bench. In 38 minutes of action, his stat line of 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists was huge, and his energy was infectious. He hit a massive three-pointer that helped stabilize the offense and threw down a dunk that got the crowd back into the game.

Jaden McDaniels was equally vital. Despite struggling with his shot from deep, his defensive versatility was the glue that held the Timberwolves together during San Antonio’s runs. His ability to switch onto smaller guards and recover to contest shots at the rim allowed Minnesota to stay aggressive in its coverage.

Edwards praised the unselfishness of the unit after the game.

“We’re spreading the floor, letting [Julius Randle] be himself, be super aggressive,” Edwards explained. “And then, ‘If you don’t have anything, just find us. We’re ready to shoot.”

Moving forward in the West

This win moves the Timberwolves to 26-14, keeping them firmly in the hunt near the top of the Western Conference standings. It was a character win—the kind of ugly, grind-it-out victory that playoff teams need to be able to secure in January.

For the Spurs, it’s a heartbreak. To lead for so long and get such a dominant performance from their star, only to lose by one on the road, is a tough pill to swallow. But for Minnesota, it’s a sigh of relief.

They survived the schedule, they survived Wembanyama, and they survived their own fatigue. The Timberwolves now get a moment to breathe before looking ahead, knowing that even on their off nights, they have the talent and the heart to find a way to win.