Game 4 Decided by Star Player's Ejection and Fourth-Quarter Surge
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Timberwolves snatched victory from the jaws of a looming deficit, overcoming a mid-game disruption to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 114-109 and knot their second-round playoff series at two games apiece. The critical swing in Game 4 hinged on the unexpected ejection of Spurs star Victor Wembanyama in the second quarter and a decisive offensive burst from the Timberwolves' own main man, Anthony Edwards.
Edwards, playing through acknowledged knee discomfort, dropped 16 of his game-high 36 points in the crucial fourth quarter, steering his team to a win that salvaged their home-court advantage and erased a potentially series-defining 3-1 deficit. The Timberwolves found themselves trailing early in the final period, even after committing a spate of turnovers in the third. A Naz Reid catch-and-shoot three-pointer with just over five minutes remaining provided the first lead since the middle of the third quarter, a lead they would ultimately protect. Reid also contributed significantly with 15 points and nine rebounds, notably taking an elbow to the neck from Wembanyama that preceded the star's ejection.
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The Spurs, now forced to navigate the remainder of the contest without their towering presence, found a second wind after halftime, staging a significant comeback that threatened to steal the game. Despite the efforts of players like Dylan Harper, who secured a rebound, drew a foul, and converted two free throws in the dying moments to pull the Spurs within three, it was not enough to counter the Timberwolves' late-game execution. The series now returns to San Antonio, tied at 2-2, with the Timberwolves having demonstrated a capacity to win even when facing adversity and key absences.
Incident and Aftermath
Wembanyama's exit from Game 4 came approximately 3 ½ minutes into the second quarter, following a flagrant 2 foul assessed for an elbow to the neck of Naz Reid. The ejection marked a significant turning point, leaving the Spurs to adapt their strategy and personnel for the majority of the game. Post-game, Timberwolves players offered perspectives on the impact of size in the contest and Reid himself offered a stoic take on the on-court incident. The official series status is now tied 2-2.
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Series Context
This pivotal victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves, officially published roughly an hour ago, ties the Western Conference Semifinals. The series now heads back to San Antonio. Reports suggest the Knicks are also playing their own Game 4, against the Philadelphia 76ers, with a notable barrage of three-pointers.
