Anthony Edwards scored 18 points off the bench in his ahead-of-schedule return from a hyperextended knee, and the Minnesota Timberwolves survived sloppy execution in the final minute to hang on for a 104-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

With the road victory, the Timberwolves took a 1-0 lead in their second-round playoff series over the favoured Spurs despite a historically dominant defensive performance by Victor Wembanyama.

Edwards, who was originally expected to be out at least one more week, was 8 of 13 from the floor and added three rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes, but he was seen limping occasionally throughout the game.

Edwards also blamed himself in a post-game interview for a dramatic San Antonio rally in the fourth quarter.

Down the stretch, Edwards was the primary defender assigned to Julian Champagnie, who corralled three offensive rebounds in the last 90 seconds and scored four second-chance points.

The Spurs, who trailed by as many as 9 points down the stretch, pulled to within 104-102 after a Devin Vassell steal led to an easy breakaway dunk by Dylan Harper with 31 seconds remaining.

After a Julius Randle miss, the Spurs retook possession with under 10 seconds left and chose not to use a timeout.

Champagnie had an open 3-pointer at the buzzer that missed to the left.

What did you think of Mitch Johnson’s decision not to call a timeout? pic.twitter.com/CqqQCoOoXK

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) May 5, 2026

Randle had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Wolves, while Mike Conley hit four 3-pointers to finish with 12 points and six assists.

The Timberwolves were determined to attack the basket, despite defensive deterrence, resulting in 52 points in the paint and 21 free throw attempts.

Wembanyama, however, showed why he was the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year by blocking 12 shots, the most in a playoff game since the tracking of blocks began in 1979-80.

Wembanyama had his first postseason triple-double, adding 11 points and 15 rebounds, but the MVP finalist was 0 for 8 shooting from 3-point range.

Champagnie finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Harper had 18 points off the bench.

 

Knicks trounce Sixers in Game 1

Jalen Brunson scored 27 of his 35 points in the first half, and the New York Knicks seemingly could not miss in their 137-98 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers as they opened their second-round playoff series with a 1-0 lead.

The Knicks set franchise playoff records by shooting 63.1% from the field and by making 19 3-pointers in front of an ecstatic Madison Square Garden crowd.

Brunson gave his team a big boost before halftime, scoring 11 points in the final 1:32 of the second quarter, including a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer that put the Knicks up 74-51 at the break.

New York was the more rested team, with Philadelphia coming off a Game 7 win on Saturday night, and the Knicks pressed their advantage early and often, outscoring the Sixers in all four quarters.

OG Anunoby continued his strong playoff run with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while Mikal Bridges had 17 points and five assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns played just 20 minutes due to foul trouble but finished with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Paul George was the 76ers’ leading scorer, making four 3-pointers to finish with 17 points.

Philly’s offence was boosted by 34 free throw attempts, but it was not enough to overcome their 41.1% shooting from the floor and their 19 turnovers.

Game 2 is on Wednesday.