After taking down the Milwaukee Bucks, the San Antonio Spurs rolled into their final regular-season matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves riding a wave of momentum. What started as a lopsided affair quickly turned into one of the most electric showdowns of the season - a back-and-forth thriller that featured a heavyweight duel between two of the NBA’s brightest young stars: Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama.
The Spurs came out sluggish in the first quarter, but then flipped the switch in the second, torching the Timberwolves with a 48-point explosion that put them up 25 at the half. It looked like San Antonio was on cruise control.
But Minnesota didn’t come to lie down. The Wolves roared back in the third, outscoring the Spurs 40-27, and suddenly it was a 12-point game heading into the fourth.
Then came the fireworks.
Anthony Edwards caught fire - and we mean scorching. He poured in 26 of his career-high 55 points in the final frame alone, hitting tough shots from every angle and dragging Minnesota back into the game nearly by himself. But every time Edwards hit a big shot, Victor Wembanyama had an answer.
With just under four minutes left, the two stars went bucket for bucket in a stretch that felt like a playoff preview. Edwards would hit a tough jumper or stepback three, and Wemby would calmly respond with a mid-range dagger or a smooth finish in the paint. It was basketball at its purest - two elite talents going toe-to-toe, neither backing down.
With just over a minute to play, Donte DiVincenzo knocked down a go-ahead three to give Minnesota a one-point lead. But Wemby, unfazed, came right back with a smooth mid-range jumper to put the Spurs back on top. Then came the defensive moment - Wemby met Joan Beringer at the rim and swatted away a reverse layup attempt, protecting the lead like a seasoned vet.
Seconds later, Keldon Johnson stepped up and drilled a corner three to extend the Spurs’ lead to four with 17 seconds left. Game over? Not quite.
Wembanyama missed a technical free throw, and Edwards capitalized with a cold-blooded stepback three to cut the lead to one. De’Aaron Fox was fouled and sank both free throws, but then fouled Edwards on the next possession.
Edwards made the first, missed the second, and Julian Champagnie came up with the rebound - and got fouled. But in true dramatic fashion, Champagnie missed both free throws.
Wemby, again, saved the moment with a clutch offensive board. He hit one free throw, was called for a lane violation trying to miss the second, and Edwards’ half-court heave at the buzzer fell short.
Spurs win, 126-123.
Let’s talk about Wembanyama. He was everywhere - 39 points on 12-of-23 shooting, 11-of-14 from the line, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. This was one of those games where Wemby reminded everyone why he’s already one of the most unique players in the league.
He was hitting from deep, finishing through contact, protecting the rim, running the break, and making winning plays on both ends. And in crunch time?
He was the guy.
One highlight in particular stood out - Wemby on the break, firing a laser to Julian Champagnie for a two-handed slam. That’s a 7-foot-4 center pushing the pace and dropping dimes like a point guard.
Later, he drove right through Jaylen Clark and finished strong at the rim, showing off the patience and poise of a veteran scorer. And of course, there was the clutch block and rebound to seal the win.
Wemby didn’t just fill the stat sheet - he owned the moment.
De’Aaron Fox was equally critical to the Spurs’ success. With Stephon Castle in foul trouble, Fox took over as the lead guard and delivered a vintage performance: 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting, 12 assists, three rebounds, and a block.
He was in complete control - pulling up for mid-range jumpers, slicing through the defense for floaters, and even finishing with a dunk in transition. Fox looked comfortable in the secondary role, playing off Wemby while still asserting himself when needed.
It was a reminder that he can thrive as both a lead scorer and a facilitator, depending on what the game calls for.
Keldon Johnson added 20 points off the bench, continuing to build a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year. He was the spark plug when the Spurs’ offense stalled, and his late-game three was the dagger that ultimately put the Wolves away. Johnson’s energy, hustle, and timely scoring have made him a constant presence in San Antonio’s rotation - and a fan favorite at Frost Bank Center.
Julian Champagnie chipped in seven points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. While his missed free throws down the stretch added some unnecessary drama, his overall impact - especially on the glass and in transition - was solid.
Dylan Harper also gave the Spurs quality minutes off the bench, finishing with nine points, three rebounds, and three assists in 21 minutes. He played with poise, made good decisions, and didn’t turn the ball over once.
His chemistry in the pick-and-roll, particularly with Luke Kornet, continues to develop.
Speaking of Kornet, the big man quietly had a strong all-around game: eight points, six boards, two assists, two blocks, and a steal. He was active on both ends and gave the Spurs valuable minutes in the paint.
Rookie Stephon Castle had a mixed night. He finished with eight points, nine assists, six rebounds, and three steals, but fouled out in the fourth quarter after being tasked with guarding the red-hot Edwards.
He showed flashes of defensive potential and court vision, but the foul trouble remains something he’ll need to work on. Still, the tools are clearly there.
This game had it all - a 25-point lead erased, a 55-point explosion from Edwards, and a clutch performance from Wemby that Spurs fans won’t forget anytime soon. It was a showcase of elite shot-making and star power, the kind of duel that turns a regular-season matchup into an instant classic.
And while the Spurs have blown a few leads this season, this time they found a way to close. With contributions from Fox, Johnson, and a host of role players stepping up, San Antonio finally notched its first win over Minnesota this season.
Next up: Utah. And possibly, the return of Devin Vassell. Stay tuned.