Anthony Edwards becomes a giant against Victor Wembanyama

The Minnesota Timberwolves staged a remarkable comeback at the Target Center by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 104-103, despite a dominant performance by Victor Wembanyama and a completely favorable start for the Texan team. Anthony Edwards was key.

The game started with an unusual scene in Minneapolis. True to the tradition of the arena, the audience remained standing until the Timberwolves scored their first basket, which this time didn't happen until almost five minutes had passed. San Antonio, led by Wembanyama, kept Minnesota from scoring during that initial stretch and quickly pulled away to a 16-0 lead. The Frenchman returned to the starting five for the first time since New Year's Eve and made a difference right from the tip-off.

Anthony Edwards finally ended the local scoring drought with a basket at 7:22 left in the first quarter, allowing the 18,978 spectators to take their seats. Nonetheless, the Spurs continued to control the game for a good part of the match, at one point holding a maximum 19-point lead.

Wembanyama finished the game with 29 points and seven rebounds, dominating the paint from the start and frustrating several aerial actions intended for Rudy Gobert. In the first half, he totaled 16 points, six rebounds, and a +21 in just 12 minutes, with 11 points concentrated in the first quarter. San Antonio also controlled the three-point line in the first half and successfully limited the opponent's offense when the Frenchman was on the court.

Minnesota's reaction came after halftime and was consolidated in the final quarter. The Timberwolves scored 33 points in that period as opposed to the Spurs' 18, capitalizing on seven San Antonio turnovers that resulted in 11 points. Edwards was instrumental in that final stretch, with nine of his 23 points in the last quarter, shooting 4 for 5 from the field.

It wasn't until there were 2:19 left that Minnesota took the lead, when Edwards made a turnaround jump shot from about 11 feet. The shooting guard capped his performance with the decisive basket with 16.8 seconds remaining, rising to score a floater over Luke Kornet.

"In the fourth quarter, three or four minutes left, let me see it," explained Edwards after the game, emphasizing his focus during crucial moments. Julius Randle, on the other hand, highlighted the team's perseverance despite offensive difficulties throughout the game.

San Antonio had one last chance but failed to close out a game they had controlled for long stretches. "We have to be able to close out games and seal the deal," acknowledged De'Aaron Fox, who also pointed out Wembanyama's effectiveness despite the constant physical contact he faced.

Spectacular End of Game

In the third quarter, Minnesota adjusted their defense on the Frenchman, alternating matchups with Gobert, Edwards, and Randle. While many of those solutions didn't work initially, the Timberwolves managed to limit Wembanyama to 13 points in the second half. With 7:24 remaining, Gobert was charged with a Flagrant 1 foul and an additional technical foul for an incident with Wembanyama, who made all four free throws to make it 91-81. It was the fifth Flagrant foul of the season for the French center, resulting in a one-game suspension.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Anthony Edwards se hace gigante ante Victor Wembanyama