Edwards Scores 55 in Return as Timberwolves Take Game 1 from Spurs

Key facts

• Anthony Edwards scored a career-high 55 points in his return from a two-game absence due to a knee injury.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-2 in the first round against the Denver Nuggets.
• The Spurs entered the series as heavy favorites with a -13.5 point spread and -641 moneyline odds.
• Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals was played on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
• Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards exchanged scoring bursts, with Edwards setting a new NBA record for points in a playoff game by a player returning from injury.
• Rudy Gobert was suspended for one game after a dangerous closeout that resulted in a flagrant foul on Wembanyama.

A Superstar Return

Anthony Edwards delivered a performance for the ages on Monday night, scoring a career-high 55 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a stunning Game 1 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals. The 24-year-old guard, who missed the final two games of the first round with a knee injury, showed no signs of rust as he single-handedly carried his team to a 128-119 win at the Frost Bank Center. Edwards's outburst was the highest scoring total in a playoff game this season and the most ever by a player returning from a multi-game injury absence. His 55 points came on 20-of-34 shooting, including 8 three-pointers, and he added 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

A Duel for the Ages

The game quickly turned into a one-on-one battle between Edwards and Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 42 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 blocks. The two stars traded baskets in the fourth quarter, with Edwards scoring 18 points in the final period alone to fend off a San Antonio rally. Wembanyama's performance was historic in its own right, making him the youngest player in NBA history to record a 40-point, 10-rebound game in the playoffs. But it was Edwards who had the last word, hitting a step-back three over Wembanyama with 1:23 remaining to put the game out of reach.

A Controversial Incident

The game was not without controversy. In the third quarter, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was ejected for a flagrant foul after appearing to intentionally step under Wembanyama as he shot a three-pointer. The NBA later suspended Gobert for one game, ruling that his action constituted dangerous and unsportsmanlike conduct. The suspension leaves Minnesota without its defensive anchor for Game 2, a significant blow against a Spurs team that already holds a size advantage. Gobert's absence could force the Timberwolves to rely on smaller lineups, potentially opening up more opportunities for Wembanyama in the paint.

Series Odds and Expectations

The Spurs entered the series as overwhelming favorites, with oddsmakers listing them as -641 favorites on the moneyline and a -13.5 point spread. San Antonio had cruised through the first round, dispatching the Portland Trail Blazers in five games, while Minnesota needed six games to eliminate the Denver Nuggets. Despite the Game 1 upset, the Spurs remain heavy favorites to win the series, with their championship experience and depth expected to prevail over the long haul. However, Edwards's performance has injected new life into the Timberwolves and raised questions about whether Minnesota can pull off a shocker.

What's Next

Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, in San Antonio, with the Timberwolves facing the challenge of playing without Gobert. Edwards will need to replicate his heroics if Minnesota hopes to steal another road win and return to Minneapolis with a 2-0 lead. The series marks a changing of the guard in the Western Conference, with two of the league's brightest young stars — Edwards and Wembanyama — battling for supremacy. Their duel in Game 1 has set a high bar for the remainder of the series, and fans can expect more fireworks as the stakes increase.

The bottom line

• Anthony Edwards scored a career-high 55 points in his return from a knee injury, leading the Timberwolves to a Game 1 win over the Spurs.
• Victor Wembanyama recorded 42 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 blocks in a losing effort, becoming the youngest player with a 40-10 playoff game.
• Rudy Gobert was suspended for one game after a flagrant foul on Wembanyama, leaving Minnesota without its starting center for Game 2.
• The Spurs remain heavy series favorites despite the loss, with odds of -641 to win the series.
• The Western Conference semifinals feature a marquee matchup between two of the NBA's brightest young stars.