The San Antonio Spurs are heading to Minnesota with a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference second round, and all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama after his explosive 39-point performance in Game 3. That 115-108 victory on Saturday gave the Spurs a crucial edge, setting up a pivotal Game 4 on the Timberwolves' home court.
For Minnesota, Anthony Edwards answered with 32 points of his own, but it wasn't enough to hold off San Antonio's relentless attack. The Timberwolves now face the pressure of defending their home floor to even the series. They've been solid against Western Conference foes this season, posting a 31-21 record, and their defense is anchored by Rudy Gobert, who averages 7.5 defensive rebounds per game—key to Minnesota's league-leading 33.0 defensive boards per game.
On the other side, the Spurs have been dominant in conference play at 36-16 and thrive in transition, ranking fourth in the West with 16.3 fast break points per game. Julian Champagnie has been a spark plug in that area, averaging 3.0 fast break points. San Antonio's perimeter defense will be tested, as the Timberwolves knock down 13.8 three-pointers per game—just 0.8 more than the Spurs allow. Meanwhile, the Spurs' own 13.6 made threes per game give them a slight edge over Minnesota's 12.1 allowed.
Key players to watch: For the Timberwolves, Julius Randle is a consistent threat with 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, while Naz Reid has been heating up from deep with 1.6 made threes over his last 10 games. For San Antonio, Wembanyama is the obvious star, averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks, but De'Aaron Fox has also been clutch, putting up 18.6 points and 6.2 assists in his last 10 outings.
Looking at recent form, the Spurs hold the edge with a 7-3 record over their last 10 games, averaging 116.9 points while holding opponents to just 105.5. The Timberwolves are 6-4 in that span, scoring 111.1 points but allowing 112.1—a defensive gap that could prove costly. Minnesota will also be without Donte DiVincenzo, who is out for the season with a leg injury.
As the series shifts to Target Center, expect a high-energy battle where every possession matters. Can the Timberwolves protect home court and tie the series, or will the Spurs extend their lead and put one foot in the conference finals? Stay tuned for another thrilling chapter in this playoff showdown.