The Minnesota Timberwolves have pulled even in their Western Conference semifinal series against the San Antonio Spurs, winning Game 4 by a score of 114-109. The pivotal victory came after Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was ejected early in the second quarter due to a Flagrant 2 foul.
The Timberwolves' win, secured with key fourth-quarter plays and a strong performance from Anthony Edwards, erases a 2-1 series deficit and forces a decisive Game 5, scheduled for Tuesday night in San Antonio.
Anthony Edwards spearheaded the Timberwolves' effort, scoring a game-high 36 points, including 16 in the crucial fourth quarter, despite playing through knee pain. His performance was later dedicated to his late mother.
Other significant contributors for Minnesota included Naz Reid, who finished with 15 points and nine rebounds and was the recipient of the foul that led to Wembanyama's ejection. Rudy Gobert added 11 points and 13 rebounds, including a crucial three-point play late in the game.
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The Spurs, playing without their towering centerpiece for the majority of the contest, showed resilience, even reclaiming a lead in the third quarter. However, the Timberwolves ultimately managed to close out the game with a series of key possessions in the final minutes. Ayo Dosunmu’s free throws with under ten seconds remaining sealed the victory.
Series Trajectory Shifts
The ejection of Wembanyama in the second quarter marked a significant turning point. The 7-foot-4 star was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for an elbow to Reid's neck. This automatic disqualification meant the Spurs had to navigate over 32 minutes of play without their leading scorer, who had put up a playoff career-high 39 points in the Spurs' Game 3 victory.
The Timberwolves' offensive strategy in Game 4 saw them taking significantly more shots off drives, indicating an aggressive approach to attacking the basket in the absence of Wembanyama's defensive presence.
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Background
The Western Conference semifinals series between the Spurs and Timberwolves has been a closely contested affair. San Antonio took a 2-1 lead after winning Games 2 and 3, with Wembanyama delivering dominant performances. Game 4's outcome now sets up a best-of-three scenario, with the series returning to San Antonio for Game 5.
In other playoff news, the New York Knicks completed a sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Detroit Pistons hold a 2-1 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Oklahoma City Thunder lead the Los Angeles Lakers 3-0. The Washington Wizards secured the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.
