-
Michael C. Wright
SAN ANTONIO — In a familiar twist, Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs had different ideas Saturday, managing to secure a 126-123 victory over Minnesota despite Anthony Edwards’ career-high 55-point game.
Wembanyama led his team with 39 points in a thrilling matchup that saw the two star players combined for a staggering 94 points, the highest for opposing former No. 1 draft picks in the modern era (1966), according to ESPN Research.
“It was fun,” Wembanyama remarked. “Not the most enjoyable, but definitely a fun game. This win is significant considering the current state of the West.”
A week ago at the Target Center in Minneapolis, the Spurs jumped to a 16-0 lead, even leading by 19 points, only to fall short as Edwards scored the go-ahead runner with 16.8 seconds left. He nearly played the spoiler once more at the Frost Bank Center.
The 24-year-old scored 26 points in the fourth quarter, marking the second-highest tally in a single quarter by any Timberwolves player during the play-by-play era (1997-98), as per ESPN Research.
Edwards’ 55-point performance stands out as the most points tallied by a player this season in a loss.
“They’ve got Wemby,” Edwards noted. “He’s meant to be the face of the league, so I always have to elevate my game for him. I enjoyed it. I wish we could have just isolated and gone one-on-one — me versus him.”
The final moments of the game did reflect that, as Wembanyama and Edwards exchanged baskets in the closing three minutes, following a rally from the Timberwolves who overcame a 25-point deficit.
“This team has done this to us enough for everyone to remember and anticipate the adjustments, and that’s exactly what happened,” said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. “We allowed them back into the game; they’re tough, especially when they gain momentum.”
With 3:28 left, the Timberwolves claimed their first lead of the second half on an 11-foot fadeaway by Edwards. Wembanyama countered on the subsequent possession with an 18-footer, leveling the score at 110.
“Vic hit some critical shots, and that’s what matters,” said Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, who added 20 points, including a three-pointer with 17.3 seconds remaining. “They made it a fierce battle, and we executed key plays down the stretch.”
Wembanyama’s contributions fueled San Antonio’s most explosive quarter in nearly 40 years, helping them build a 25-point lead at halftime. He scored 20 points in the second quarter, including 11 consecutive points in just over two minutes, leading the Spurs to outscore Minnesota 48-22 in that quarter.
This scoring burst was the most the Spurs had achieved in a quarter since Nov. 20, 1987, when they put up 48 points in the final quarter of a loss against Denver. also, the 48-point outing against the Timberwolves ranks as the fourth-highest quarter score since the franchise’s entry into the NBA (1976-77), according to ESPN Research.
Wembanyama fell just one point short of his season-high 40 points, which he recorded in the season opener against Dallas.
by contrast, Minnesota had to cope without starting center Rudy Gobert (left hip contusion). and, forward Naz Reid exited Saturday’s game in the first half due to soreness in his left shoulder, as reported by the team.
“The key takeaway from this game is that we let the lead slip away,” Wembanyama expressed. “It’s crucial for us to determine our approach in these moments because we frequently discuss it. We’re aware it’s an issue, and I believe our mindset is correct.
“but, we need to know how to finish. We’re not completely satisfied. This win is nuanced since they were on a back-to-back and had some stars missing. There are many things we need to improve, but a win is still a win, and that’s what we need to focus on.”
