The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are set to battle in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, with a spot in the Western Conference Finals on the line. This series promises high drama, pitting a rising Spurs squad against a Timberwolves team fighting through adversity.

Minnesota enters the series shorthanded. Guard Donte DiVincenzo is out for the entire postseason with a torn Achilles, and star Anthony Edwards is questionable with a hyperextended knee. The Timberwolves will need Edwards back soon to have a realistic chance against the team with the league's second-best regular-season record.

On the other side, Victor Wembanyama is making his playoff debut in style. In his third NBA season, the French sensation led the Spurs to a dominant 4-1 series win over the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. Over the final two games of that series, he averaged an incredible 6.5 blocks to go with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists per game. It's clear he thrives under the bright lights.

The key matchup to watch? Wembanyama vs. his countryman, Rudy Gobert. Minnesota's 7-foot-1 defensive anchor will be tasked with slowing down the Spurs' superstar. If Gobert can limit Wembanyama's impact, the Timberwolves might stay competitive. The emergence of guard Ayo Dosunmu has also given Minnesota fans reason for optimism.

During the regular season, the Timberwolves won two of three meetings, though the Spurs took the most recent matchup on January 17. Now, with everything on the line, this series is set to be a thrilling clash of styles and national pride.

Here's everything you need to know to catch all the action, including broadcast info and start times. Games will air across ESPN networks, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video as part of the NBA's expanded broadcast deal. Fans can also stream live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial for new users.