The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 on Monday, May 4, 2026, to open the Western Conference semifinals [1, 2].
This victory gives Minnesota a critical 1-0 lead in the series [1]. Winning the first game on the road provides a significant psychological and statistical advantage as the teams compete for a spot in the conference finals.
The contest took place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas [3, 4]. The Timberwolves relied on a balanced offensive attack to secure the narrow win, outscoring the Spurs by two points [1, 2].
Julius Randle led the effort for Minnesota, recording 21 points and 10 rebounds [1]. Anthony Edwards provided a spark off the bench, contributing 18 points and three rebounds [1, 3]. Dylan Harper also played a key role in the victory, scoring 18 points while converting seven of 13 field goals and one of four three-pointers [1].
Despite the loss, the Spurs remained competitive throughout the game, pushing the Timberwolves until the final buzzer. The result leaves San Antonio facing a deficit as they attempt to recover their home-court advantage in the upcoming games of the series [1, 2].
The Timberwolves' ability to execute in the closing moments of the game proved decisive. By holding off the Spurs 104-102, Minnesota established early momentum in this high-stakes playoff matchup [3].
“The Timberwolves lead 1-0”
A Game 1 victory for the lower-seeded Timberwolves shifts the pressure to the San Antonio Spurs. By winning on the road, Minnesota has neutralized the home-court advantage of the second-seeded Spurs, making it significantly harder for San Antonio to recover if they drop another game early in the series.
