NBA Recap: Minnesota Upsets San Antonio on the Road in Thrilling Playoff Opener

Timberwolves stun Spurs

Victor Wembanyama set a postseason record with 12 blocks but San Antonio fell short in a 104-102 loss to Minnesota.

Julius Randle added 21 points for Minnesota, while Dylan Harper led the Spurs with 18 off the bench...

Anthony Edwards made his return from injury and outshone Victor Wembanyama’s historic defensive display, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 104-102 playoff upset over the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

Despite Wembanyama’s 12-block effort - the most ever in an NBA postseason game - the Spurs couldn’t hold off the sixth-seeded Timberwolves’ late resilience.

Minnesota star Edwards came off the bench for 18 points even though he was still working his way back from the left knee injury that sidelined him for the last two games of the Wolves’ first-round win against Denver.

Julius Randle added 21 points to support Edwards, and four more Timberwolves reached double digits as Minnesota grabbed a crucial road win to open the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

“We just want to win ball games, that's all we want to do as a group, no matter who it is, we don't care,” Edwards said.

“I may not be as athletic as I usually am, but I got to be able to box out and make those small plays and win a big-time game,” he added.

that’s one. pic.twitter.com/j6jh6zDFmL

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 5, 2026

San Antonio were left to process a painful ending after Julian Champagnie’s buzzer-beater attempt to secure the win rimmed out as the final buzzer sounded.

Wembanyama also recorded 15 rebounds and 11 points as part of his imposing defensive display, even though it ended in defeat.

Dylan Harper topped the Spurs with 18 points from the bench on a night where seven San Antonio players reached double-digit scoring.

HOW WE FEELING, WOLVES FANS? pic.twitter.com/5UT8wAMGjE

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 5, 2026

Wembanyama pledged that San Antonio will perform better when they look to tie game two of the series on Wednesday, stating, “Obviously we have to be better.”

“We need to figure out in the next 48 hours what we can do better. And I've got no doubt that we will. I would trust us,” the Frenchman said.

“It's a lot on me because obviously my game wasn't feeling good tonight and that's where the team is going to look for me,” Wembanyama added. “If I had been better, if the offensive leaders of our team had been better, it would have been different.”

GAME WON. pic.twitter.com/S7kqOXcbwx

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 5, 2026