By Oliver Carter
The Minnesota Timberwolves took down the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in Game 1 of their Western Conference second-round match-up.
The game took place at Frost Bank Center, San Antonio on Monday night.
Minnesota stole Game 1 on the road, despite Wembanyama setting a new NBA playoff record of 12 blocks in a single game.
Story of the game
Game 1 was a hard fought, scrappy game with 33 lead changes.
San Antonio had a very strong start to the game leading for most of the first quarter, jumping to their biggest lead of the game after just seven minutes, leading by seven with 4:44 left in the first.
Minnesota closed the gap and managed to take the lead at the end of the first quarter, before pushing that lead further to a seven-point lead of their own.
The Spurs responded with a 10-0 run, this three-point lead was the largest lead until the end of the third quarter as both teams started trading blows.
However, Anthony Edwards, on his return from injury, came alive down the stretch leading the Timberwolves on a 14-2 run late in the game, pushing the Timberwolves to a game high nine-point lead.
This lead ended up being too big for the Spurs to come back from, eventually pulling the game within two points with 30 seconds remaining. A missed shot from both sides ended the game at 104-102.
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Perfect defence, terrible offence
Victor Wembanyama put on a defensive clinic, setting a new NBA record with 12-blocks, surpassing the previous record of 10 – originally set by Mark Eaton and matched by both Hakeem Olajuwon and Andrew Bynum.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year also managed to reel in 15 rebounds, and only committed three fouls.
While Wembanyama prevented the Timberwolves from scoring 24 points with his defensive contributions, he also cost his team 24 points as he shot 0/8 from three-point range.
Overall the Frenchman shot 5/17 from the field, a dismal 29.4%.
Despite the poor shooting performance the Spurs still won the minutes Wembanyama played by five points.
He ended the game with 11 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and 12 blocks.
Looking ahead
The Timberwolves will be ecstatic with their Game 1 victory, taking a road game from a team with an incredible home record and home support.
The Spurs, however, will need a big bounce back in Game 2. Wembanyama will need to step up on the offensive end as well as try to recreate a fraction of the incredible defence he showed.
Edwards will also be a key factor in the series as he has rushed back from a bone bruise in his left knee which he sustained in Game 4 of the Timberwolves first round match-up against the Denver Nuggets.
Edwards had 18 points in Game 1, scoring 11 in the fourth quarter, leading Minnesota to their comeback.
The Spurs’ supporting cast will also play an important role – De’Aaron Fox only managed 10 points on 35% shooting in.
Fox will have to step up his efficiency if the Spurs want to turn this series around.
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Geoffrey H. Latayan