Anthony EdwardsPlayer·Anthony Edwards delivered in his surprise return for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinalsCompetition·Western Conference Semifinals, sparking the Minnesota TimberwolvesTeam·Minnesota Timberwolves to a 104-102 upset over the No. 2 seed San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs on May 4. The Timberwolves' star guard, back ahead of schedule from a left knee bone bruise and hyperextension suffered in Game 4 of their first-round series against the Denver NuggetsTeam·Denver Nuggets, logged 25 minutes off the bench. He poured in 18 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter to seal the victory and give Minnesota a 1-0 series lead.
Timberwolves coach Chris FinchCoach·Chris Finch signaled an uptick in Edwards' workload for Game 2, played on May 6. Edwards dismissed any limitations after the game.
"I felt great. I don't think I'm limited at all."— Anthony Edwards.
His regular-season dominance against San Antonio—averaging 36.7 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds across three games—looms large as Minnesota aims to protect its edge. The No. 6 seed Timberwolves (49-33 regular season) entered the playoffs as underdogs but dispatched the No. 3 Nuggets in the first round before stealing home-court advantage.
Adding firepower, Ayo DosunmuPlayer·Ayo Dosunmu earned clearance for Game 2 after sitting out Game 1 and Game 6 of the Nuggets series with right calf soreness and injury management. Acquired from the Chicago BullsTeam·Chicago Bulls in a February four-player trade, Dosunmu erupted for a playoff career-high 43 points in Game 4 against Denver. Over five postseason appearances prior to his injury, he averaged 21.8 points on 60.9% field goal shooting and 54.5% from three. His return bolsters Minnesota's backcourt depth, though a minutes restriction remains possible.
The Spurs, who finished the regular season at 62-20, leaned on rookie Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama's historic Game 1 effort: 11 points, 15 rebounds, and an NBA postseason-record 12 blocks. Yet San Antonio faltered late, unable to overcome Edwards' clutch scoring. Rookie forward Carter BryantPlayer·Carter Bryant was questionable for Game 2 with a right foot sprain, while Minnesota remains without Donte DiVincenzoPlayer·Donte DiVincenzo (torn right Achilles).
Game 1 flipped expectations, with the Timberwolves entering as 10.5-point underdogs but closing as 9.5-point dogs for the sequel. Edwards' ramped-up role and Dosunmu's availability tilt the momentum further toward Minnesota, testing San Antonio's resilience in a series now squarely in the underdogs' grasp. With Wembanyama anchoring the paint, the Spurs must contain Edwards' rim pressure and Dosunmu's catch-and-shoot threat to even the score.
Anthony Edwards (5) and Ayo Dosunmu (13) react during a Timberwolves game. Anadolu Agency/IMAGO
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