By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
What looked like a night destined for Victor Wembanyama to make playoff history turned into a dramatic comeback story led by Anthony Edwards. Returning unexpectedly from injury, Edwards dropped 18 points to guide the Minnesota Timberwolves to a thrilling 104-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Wembanyama delivered a defensive masterpiece despite the loss, recording 11 points, 15 rebounds, and a staggering 12 blocks, an NBA postseason record. The French star also secured a rare triple-double including blocks, dominating the paint with a presence that reshaped every possession.
San Antonio nearly stole the game late. With 31 seconds remaining, a steal by Devin Vassell and a fast-break layup from Dylan Harper cut the deficit to two. After a missed shot by Julius Randle, the Spurs had one last chance—but Julian Champagnie missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, sealing a heartbreaking finish for the home team.
Randle led Minnesota with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Harper scored 18 for San Antonio. Champagnie and Stephon Castle each added 17 in a balanced effort that ultimately fell short.
The defining storyline, however, was Edwards. Expected to miss at least the first two games after suffering a bone bruise and knee hyperextension on April 25, he defied expectations with a rapid recovery. With key teammates like Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu sidelined, Edwards stepped in and changed the narrative.
Oddsmakers had little faith in his impact, listing the Spurs as heavy favorites. Edwards proved them wrong. After hitting an early step-back three, he turned to the Spurs bench and shouted, “I’m back!”—a statement that quickly became reality.
Coming off the bench, Edwards played 25 minutes and shot an efficient 8-of-13, injecting life into Minnesota at a critical moment. Meanwhile, Wembanyama dazzled early, racking up seven blocks in the first half alone and rejecting shots in every imaginable way, but it wasn’t enough to grab the victory.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers
6. New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 1-0 (137-98)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers
6. San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 0-1 (102-104)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions