Minnesota did not look whole. It looked dangerous anyway.
The Timberwolves beat the Spurs 104-102 in Game 1, stealing home-court advantage in San Antonio. Anthony Edwards returned and gave Minnesota 18 points in 25 minutes, enough to bend the game back toward the Wolves after weeks of uncertainty around his availability.
Julius Randle led Minnesota with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each added 16. Mike Conley’s four threes mattered, too, because every clean look against San Antonio came with Victor Wembanyama waiting somewhere near the rim like a storm cloud.
Wembanyama’s line was absurd even in defeat: 11 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and 12 blocks. He did not shoot well, missing all eight of his threes, but defensively he made the paint feel like private property. The Spurs had seven players in double figures, including 18 from Dylan Harper and 17 each from Stephon Castle and Julian Champagnie, but Minnesota had just enough shot-making and composure late.
Game 1 did not answer the series. It set the tone. The Spurs have the alien. The Wolves have scars, depth and a returning Edwards.
For one night, scars won.
