Despite Wemby’s record-breaking night Monday, the Spurs barely fell short against the Wolves in Game 1 after Julian Champagnie missed a potential game-winning shot.
SAN ANTONIO — In Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Victor Wembanyama set an NBA record for most blocked shots in a playoff game with 12. Despite this performance, the Spurs fell short, losing 104-102 as Julian Champagnie missed a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.
As Wemby’s performance showcased, this was a defensive battle between the two teams. Nobody on the Spurs scored more than 18 points and only one player on the Timberwolves scored more than 20.
Wembanyama particularly struggled on the offensive side of the ball, scoring 11 points on 5-17 shooting from the field and 0-8 from 3-point range. He did grab 15 rebounds solidifying his first career playoff triple double (11 points, 15 rebounds and 12 blocks).
Spurs’ guard De’Aaron Fox also struggled, scoring 10 points on 5-14 shooting with a -13 plus/minus. Stephon Castle had 17 points, five rebounds and five assists but fouled out. Vassell had 14 and Keldon Johnson had 11.
The one player who completely outperformed his regular season output was rookie Dylan Harper, scoring 18 points on 7-13 shooting with four rebounds and four assists.
Another player was Champagnie, who while missing the potential game-winner finished with a strong game with 17 points with 7-12 shooting from the field and 3-7 shooting from 3-point range. He also added eight rebounds.
And if he hits that final 3-pointer, not only is he the only player to score 20+ points for the Spurs, but we’re having a completely different conversation right now with the Spurs being up 1-0 in the series.
But he didn’t, and the Spurs find themselves in a 0-1 hole to the No. 6-seeded Timberwolves.
For Minnesota, Julius Randle led the way with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Edwards, questionable coming into the series, tallied 18 points on 8-13 shooting off the bench.
Solid play from Jaden McDaniels (16 points), Terrance Shannon Jr. (16 points), Naz Reid (12 points and nine rebounds) and Mike Conley (12 points) helped Minnesota come into San Antonio and steal a game on the road.
This is where playoff experience is coming into play: the Timberwolves have made the Western Conference Finals two seasons in a row while this is the Spurs’ first time in the playoffs in seven years.
So while seemingly undermanned (Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu were both out Game 1), Minnesota was able to make the proper adjustments and beat a 62-win team and the Defensive Player of the Year that set an NBA playoff record in the same game.
But it’s only Game 1. Now it’s time to see if San Antonio will make the proper adjustments come Game 2. It was uncharacteristically bad shooting nights for both Wemby and Fox, so does that continue into the next game or were those outliers of performances?
Will Anthony Edwards be good to go in Game 2 after barely being ready for Game 1?
Does Dylan Harper see an uptick in playing time after his strong Game 1 performance?
The last time the Spurs lost at home this postseason, they won the series 4-1 against the Trail Blazers. So this team has proven they can overcome early series adversity.
Let’s see if they can do that against a proven team like the Timberwolves.
Here’s what to know ahead of Game 2.
How to watch
The game will be televised on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. CT Friday. You can also listen to game action on WOAI 1200 and KXTN 1350.
Team stats leaders (postseason)
- POINTS: Stephon Castle (19.3) Victor Wembanyama (19.0), De’Aaron Fox (18.5)
- REBOUNDS: Wembanyama (10.0), Luke Kornet (6.2), Devin Vassell (5.7)
- ASSISTS: Fox (6.7), Castle (5.8), Wembanyama (2.6)
- BLOCKS: Wembanyama (5.6), Vassell (1.2), Champagnie (0.5)
Timberwolves
- POINTS: Ayo Dosunmu* (21.8), Julius Randle (19.4), Anthony Edwards (18.4)
- REBOUNDS: Rudy Gobert (10.6), Randle (7.7), Naz Reid (7.3)
- ASSISTS: Dosunmu* (4.0), Randle (3.9), Mike Conley (3.0)
- BLOCKS: Edwards (1.2), Gobert (1.1), Jaden McDaniels (0.7)
Injury report
As of Tuesday afternoon, here’s where the team’s respective injury reports stack up:
- Carter Bryant – Questionable (Foot)
Timberwolves
- Anthony Edwards – Questionable (Knee)
- Donte DiVincenzo – Out (Achilles, out for season)
- Ayo Dosunmu – Questionable (Calf)