Anthony Edwards always felt it was inevitable that he would make the decisive contribution in the Minnesota Timberwolves' win over the San Antonio Spurs, even if he was unhappy with his general performance.

Edwards hit a floater with 16.8 seconds on the clock on Sunday as Minnesota earned a 104-103 triumph over the Spurs, having trailed by 19 points at one stage.

Minnesota started slowly, going almost five minutes without a basket and not taking the lead for the first time until there was only 2:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Of Edwards' team-high tally of 23 points, nine came in the final quarter as the Timberwolves outscored their visitors by 11 points in that stretch.

Speaking after the game, Edwards insisted he was never concerned about the team's poor start, saying: "I didn't really have it going tonight, if I'm being honest. 

"But like I told them [his team-mates], I don't care what happens in the first three quarters. Fourth quarter, with three or four minutes left... let me see it. 

"Y'all can have 50 points. But in the fourth quarter, four minutes left, for the rest of the game, let me get it.'"

GIVE ANT THE ROCK.  pic.twitter.com/HOknB7xEuU

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 12, 2026

Minnesota's fans traditionally do not take their seats at home games until the Timberwolves make their first basket, leaving many in attendance with sore legs by the time Edwards finally got them on the board with 7:22 left in the first quarter.

"We just had to keep battling. We missed a lot of shots. We know we didn't play really well, particularly offensively," forward Julius Randle, who put up 15 points and eight rebounds, said. 

"We had it going in spurts, but we missed a lot of shots. We just had to keep going, keep battling, keep fighting and see what happens."

The victory lifted Minnesota to 26-14 for the season and dropped San Antonio to 27-12. 

While the Spurs take on the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, next time out, the Timberwolves are on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.