Key Takeaways:
- Anthony Edwards scored 36 points, with 16 in the fourth quarter, as Minnesota defeated San Antonio 114-109 on Sunday to square the series at 2-2
- Victor Wembanyama was ejected early in the second quarter after a Flagrant 2 foul on Naz Reid, whose status for Game 5 remains unconfirmed
- Game 5 will take place in San Antonio on Tuesday, with Wembanyama’s availability pending a league decision
Summary of the Action
Anthony Edwards played a pivotal role in helping the Minnesota Timberwolves secure a 114-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, drawing the series level at two games apiece during a dramatic Game 4 encounter in Minneapolis. Edwards tallied 36 points in total, erupting for 16 in the final quarter to lead a successful late comeback after the Timberwolves fell behind early in the fourth.
The contest took a decisive turn in the second quarter when Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ 7-foot-4 star, was given a Flagrant 2 foul and automatically ejected for delivering an elbow to Naz Reid’s neck. Despite the Wolves briefly holding a two-point advantage at the time of Wembanyama’s departure, they struggled to fully capitalise on his absence, allowing the Spurs’ guard trio to mount a sustained response.
WHAT A DUB. pic.twitter.com/YgPRWYGiLa
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 11, 2026
Key Moments in the Fourth Quarter
Edwards sparked the Timberwolves’ rally, converting a 27-foot three-pointer to trim the deficit to 94-91 and energising the home crowd at Target Center. His catch-and-shoot three from the wing with 5:12 remaining put Minnesota ahead, 98-97, marking their first lead since midway through the third period.
With Wembanyama out of the paint, the Timberwolves’ frontcourt asserted itself late in the game. Rudy Gobert, who registered 11 points and 13 rebounds, capped a crucial three-point play on a high-low connection from Reid, and powered through for a dunk after a slick assist from Julius Randle to stretch the lead to 107-101 with just under two minutes left. Reid contributed with a key put-back to give the Wolves a seven-point edge with 40 seconds to go.
Dylan Harper helped the Spurs close the gap to three points with a rebound, drawn foul, a steal, and two free throws. The game was finally iced when Ayo Dosunmu managed to secure a full-court pass from Jaden McDaniels, get fouled by De’Aaron Fox, and sink two decisive free throws with 9.8 seconds left.
| Team | Points | Top Scorer | Key Contributors | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 114 | Anthony Edwards (36) | Naz Reid (15 pts, 9 reb), Rudy Gobert (11 pts, 13 reb) | Edwards scored 16 points in 4th quarter |
| San Antonio Spurs | 109 | Dylan Harper, De’Aaron Fox (24 each) | Stephon Castle (20 pts) | Wembanyama ejected in 2nd quarter |
San Antonio’s Guard Play in Wembanyama’s Absence
Following Wembanyama’s ejection, the Spurs’ guards stepped up. Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points apiece, while Stephon Castle added 20. Harper, the number two pick in last year’s NBA draft, reflected on his performance: “Just trying to be what the team needed me to be,” Harper said. “I think I did OK. Obviously the main goal is to win. We didn’t get that done.”
The Spurs’ ability to respond without Wembanyama was evident as they consistently found success with mid-range pull-up jumpers, taking advantage of the Timberwolves’ occasional defensive lapses.
Looking Ahead to Game 5
San Antonio is set to host Game 5 on Tuesday, with the league yet to determine Wembanyama’s availability following his Flagrant 2 call and subsequent ejection. Naz Reid, who absorbed the critical elbow but played on to contribute 15 points and 9 rebounds, embodied the Timberwolves’ fighting spirit. As Reid stated, “Pain is weakness in the body. That’s it.”
Timberwolves head coach and players acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining defensive intensity when an opposing star is sidelined. Edwards remarked, “When every team is missing their best player, everybody plays free. They get more shots, more confident. So I think it was a lot harder on us.”
Despite earlier turnovers and an eight-point deficit early in the fourth, the Timberwolves found the resilience required in the closing moments. Rudy Gobert summarised the squad’s mindset: “We have a resilient group of guys. No matter the circumstances, we are going to keep fighting and give everything we have and keep trusting one another. Just making the right play. That’s who we are. We might not be always consistent with that, but I feel like when it matters, we raise our level.”
