Timberwolves go wire to wire despite late Spurs push
There wasn't much that went wrong for the Timberwolves in Tuesday night's 114-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center in Minneapolis.
The Spurs did mount a late run, outscoring the Timberwolves 38-29 in the fourth quarter, although Minnesota had more than enough of a cushion at that point.
The Wolves were also down Karl-Anthony Towns, ruled out before the game due to personal reasons. In an injury scare, Anthony Edwards briefly exited during the second quarter, getting helped off the court while neglecting to put any weight on his left leg as he exited to the locker room before returning to finish out the second half.
That was about it for things that went wrong.
The list of things that went right was a little bit longer.
Rudy Gobert, listed as questionable before the game with a left ankle sprain and deemed a game-time decision by coach Chris Finch, started and played 39 minutes, finishing his night with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
Despite the brief exit, Edwards was dominant for most of the night, posting 34 points, five rebounds and five assists. Finch was hoping to not have to play Edwards in the fourth quarter, but when the Spurs got within 17 points with just over five minutes remaining, he checked back in Edwards, who almost immediately banked in a shot.
Naz Reid returned to form as the spark plug off the bench that the Timberwolves have grown accustomed to. Reid ran the floor in transition, delivered series of impressive moves in the paint and hit from outside. He finished with 22 points and six rebounds.
"(Reid) took the ball to the basket. Played off the catch, incredible handle, great finisher. He didn't really just rely on his 3, he kinda mixed it up," Finch said.
Defensively, meanwhile, the Timberwolves (41-17) forced the Spurs (11-48) into 23 turnovers, scoring 30 points off of them. The Wolves played handsy and quick, garnering a lot of those turnovers off hustle plays for steals.
"We've talked a lot about, recently, getting more 50-50 balls, and we did a good job of that tonight," Finch said.
Minnesota prevented most of the Spurs roster from finding any kind of a rhythm. Victor Wembanyama finished with 17 points on just 5-of-13 shooting, 13 rebounds and five assists. Gobert and Co. were able to keep quiet for most of the night.
Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 21 points. Apple Valley native Tre Jones finished his night with 11 points and six assists.
The Wolves were in control from start to finish Tuesday, playing the part of the top team in the Western Conference standings. They did a lot of little things right, and not much went wrong in a blowout win in front of another sold-out Target Center crowd.
Final key stats
- Anthony Edwards: 34 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 1 block
- Naz Reid: 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist, 1 block
- Mike Conley: 16 points, 1 assist, 1 steal
- Rudy Gobert: 13 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 assists
- Devin Vassell: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
- Keldon Johnson: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
- Victor Wembanyama: 17 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks, 2 steals
