In a thrilling showdown, the San Antonio Spurs managed to edge out the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-123, despite Anthony Edwards unleashing an incredible career-high 55-point performance. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 39 points in a game that saw these two former No. 1 draft picks combine for a staggering total of 94 points—marking the highest combined scoring by such players in the modern draft era that began in 1966, as noted by ESPN Research.
Wembanyama expressed his excitement after the game, stating, "It was fun. Not the most fun, but it was definitely an enjoyable game. This win carries significant weight, especially considering the current state of the Western Conference."
Just six days prior, the Spurs had jumped to a commanding 16-0 lead against the Timberwolves in Minneapolis, only to watch it slip away, culminating in a last-second score by Edwards that sealed their defeat. This time, however, the Spurs were determined to maintain their lead at the Frost Bank Center.
Edwards, who is just 24 years old, had an explosive fourth quarter, contributing 26 points. This remarkable tally ranks as the second-highest single-quarter scoring effort for a Timberwolves player since the play-by-play era began in the 1997-98 season, according to ESPN Research. His 55-point game this season stands out as the highest score recorded by any player in a losing effort.
Edwards remarked on the matchup, saying, "They've got Wemby. He's meant to be the face of the league, so I always bring my best for games like this. It was exhilarating; I wish we could have had a one-on-one showdown."
In the closing minutes of the game, it almost felt like a personal duel between Wembanyama and Edwards, as they exchanged baskets multiple times. Edwards had led his team back from a daunting 25-point deficit, demonstrating the competitive spirit of both teams.
Spurs' coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged the challenge posed by the Timberwolves, noting, "This team has done this to us before, and everyone remembers. We knew we had to brace ourselves for their comeback, but we allowed them to creep back into the game. They’re a tough team, especially when they find their rhythm."
With just over three minutes remaining, the Timberwolves took their first lead of the second half thanks to an 11-foot fadeaway shot by Edwards. Wembanyama quickly matched this on the Spurs' next possession, sinking an 18-footer to equalize the score at 110.
Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, who added 20 points—including a crucial three-pointer with just 17.3 seconds left—commented, "Vic hit some crucial shots, which was key to our success. It turned into a fierce battle, and we executed some important plays when it mattered most."
Wembanyama's performance helped propel his team to their highest-scoring quarter in nearly four decades, as the Spurs surged to a 25-point lead by halftime. He delivered an impressive 20 points in the second quarter alone, including a streak of 11 consecutive points within just over two minutes. The Spurs outscored the Timberwolves 48-22 during that quarter, achieving their highest quarter score since November 20, 1987, when they also scored 48 points in the final quarter against Denver. This latest quarter achievement tied for the fourth-most points scored in any quarter since the franchise's inception in the NBA in 1976-77, as per ESPN Research.
Although Wembanyama fell just one point short of his season-high 40 points achieved in the opening game against Dallas, his contribution was pivotal.
On the opposing side, the Timberwolves faced challenges as they played without their starting center Rudy Gobert due to a left hip contusion. Additionally, forward Naz Reid left the game in the first half due to soreness in his left shoulder, as confirmed by the team.
Reflecting on the game, Wembanyama stated, "The main takeaway is that we allowed our lead to slip away. It's crucial for us to analyze what we need to do in those critical moments. We often discuss this issue, recognizing it as a problem. Our mindset is in the right place, but there's still room for improvement. We must pinpoint our strategies better. This win is nuanced; they had some stars resting and played back-to-back games. There are various aspects we need to rectify, but ultimately, securing the victory remains our primary focus."
