In a game that felt like a heavyweight bout from the opening tip, the San Antonio Spurs finally snapped their six-game losing streak to the Minnesota Timberwolves - but not without some serious drama. Anthony Edwards dropped a scorching 55 points, while Victor Wembanyama countered with 39 of his own in a back-and-forth clash that showcased two of the league’s brightest young stars.
First Half: Defense Sets the Tone, Then Wemby Takes Over
The Spurs came out with a defensive edge that set the tone early. Holding the Timberwolves to just 22 points in each of the first two quarters, San Antonio’s rotations were sharp, their communication crisp, and their effort consistent. It wasn’t perfect - a few breakdowns here and there - but overall, it was the kind of defensive intensity that head coach Gregg Popovich has preached for years.
Offensively, though, the Spurs stumbled out of the gate. De’Aaron Fox opened hot, and Keldon Johnson gave the second unit a spark, but missed open looks and unforced turnovers had them trailing after one. The pieces were there, but they hadn’t quite clicked yet.
That changed in the second quarter - and fast.
Once the offense caught up to the defense, San Antonio exploded. Stephon Castle found his rhythm as a facilitator, dishing out dimes to Luke Kornet and setting up shooters who finally started connecting from deep.
But it was Wembanyama who stole the show. The 7-foot-4 phenom turned the second quarter into his personal highlight reel, pouring in 20 points in the frame.
He got to the line early, then caught fire from beyond the arc, showing off the full range of his offensive arsenal. When the halftime buzzer sounded, the Spurs had hung 48 in the quarter and built a comfortable lead.
Second Half: Timberwolves Turn Up the Heat
Minnesota, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, could’ve packed it in. Instead, they punched back - hard.
The Wolves came out of the locker room with renewed energy, pushing the pace, outmuscling the Spurs in transition, and getting into the bonus early in the third. Julius Randle found his groove, and Edwards continued his offensive onslaught, attacking relentlessly and hitting tough shots from all over the floor.
San Antonio, meanwhile, lost their edge. Their floor balance faltered, leading to easy run-outs for Minnesota.
The Wolves’ physicality ramped up, and the Spurs couldn’t match it. By the end of the third, what was once a commanding lead had shrunk to just 12.
The fourth quarter was more of the same. Minnesota’s defense was suffocating, and every Spurs miss turned into a fast-break opportunity.
The Wolves eventually took the lead, riding the wave of Edwards’ brilliance. But the Spurs didn’t fold.
Fox and Wembanyama steadied the ship in crunch time, each making big plays when it mattered most. It wasn’t pretty - in fact, it was downright messy at times - but it was gritty.
And it was enough. San Antonio held on for a hard-fought, emotional win that broke the streak and gave them a much-needed confidence boost.
Notable Takeaways from the Win:
- Wemby vs. Edwards Was Must-See TV Edwards’ 55-point masterpiece was a reminder of how special he already is, but Wembanyama’s 39-point performance - including that monster second quarter - showed why the Spurs believe he’s the cornerstone of their future. Both stars delivered in a big-time game.
- Joan Beringer’s Coming-Out Party With Rudy Gobert sidelined and Naz Reid exiting with an injury, rookie Joan Beringer was thrown into the fire - and he held his own.
He battled early against Kornet and later went toe-to-toe with Wembanyama. The tools, the motor, the fearlessness - France has produced another intriguing young big.
- The Whistle Was a Rollercoaster The officiating played a major role in the flow of the game.
In contrast to their previous matchup, the refs called it tighter early, which allowed Wembanyama to live at the line in the first half. But in the second, that same whistle favored Minnesota, who got into the bonus quickly.
Both teams finished with 28 free throw attempts, but the timing of those calls mattered.
- Champagnie’s Quiet Impact Julian Champagnie continues to do the little things that win games.
The broadcast spotlighted his rebounding, and he delivered a clutch board off a missed Edwards free throw late. He’s extension-eligible, and while his shooting can be streaky, his effort and versatility are trending in the right direction.
- San Antonio’s Challenge Woes Continue The Spurs burned their coach’s challenge early - and lost it.
That left them without one in crunch time, a recurring issue that continues to cost them small but crucial advantages. In tight games like this, every edge matters.
- Keldon Johnson, the Steady Hand The Harper-Castle-Kornet lineup can bog down offensively, but Keldon Johnson keeps finding ways to make it work.
He’s not putting up career-high numbers, but his impact on winning is undeniable. He’s embraced a leadership role and continues to be a stabilizing force for this young team.
- Third Quarter Letdown The third quarter was rough - maybe the worst they’ve had all year.
The energy disappeared, the ball movement stalled, and the defense lost its bite. Against a team like Minnesota, that’s a recipe for disaster.
The Spurs survived it this time, but it’s a lesson they can’t afford to keep relearning.
- Mike Conley’s Missed Floater: A Subtle Reminder Late in the game, Mike Conley missed a right-handed floater - a shot he’s made in his sleep for years.
It was a small moment, but a telling one. Minnesota’s core is championship-caliber, but the backcourt may need a refresh if they want to reach the next level.
The Spurs will look to build off this win when they host the Jazz on Monday. Utah’s in full rebuild mode, but San Antonio can’t afford to overlook anyone - not after a game like this.
They showed resilience, star power, and flashes of what they can be. Now it’s about consistency.