Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Faces Timberwolves Without Anthony Edwards in West Semifinals

Key facts

• San Antonio Spurs are the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
• Minnesota Timberwolves are the No. 6 seed after upsetting the Denver Nuggets in the first round.
• Anthony Edwards suffered a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise in Game 4 against the Nuggets.
• Edwards is listed as week-to-week and is expected to miss multiple weeks.
• Game 1 of the series is Monday, May 4, at 9:30 p.m. ET in San Antonio.
• The Timberwolves defeated the Spurs 125-112 in their regular-season meeting on November 30.
• Edwards was seen shooting free throws at practice on Saturday but remains unlikely to play in Game 1.

A Semifinal Shifted by Injury

The San Antonio Spurs, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, were expecting a semifinal clash with the Denver Nuggets. Instead, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the No. 6 seed, upset Denver in six games, setting up a second-round series that now hinges on the availability of Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. Edwards suffered a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise in Game 4 of the first round, landing awkwardly after a play that bent his knee unnaturally. He has been diagnosed as week-to-week and is expected to miss multiple weeks, leaving a major void in Minnesota's lineup as they prepare to face the Spurs.

The Spurs' Path and Wembanyama's Rise

San Antonio enters the series as the higher seed, buoyed by the remarkable rookie season of Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 French phenom. The Spurs finished second in the West and have been one of the league's most dynamic teams, blending youth with playoff hunger. Without Edwards, the Timberwolves will rely on their depth and defensive tenacity, but they lack a primary scoring option capable of matching Wembanyama's two-way impact. The Spurs, meanwhile, see an opportunity to advance deeper into the playoffs against a wounded opponent.

Edwards' Injury and Recovery Timeline

Edwards was spotted shooting free throws at the end of a practice session on Saturday, suggesting he is beginning rehabilitation. However, the Timberwolves have listed him as week-to-week, and the team is expected to provide further updates as his condition evolves. His absence for the start of the series is highly likely. The Timberwolves closed out the Nuggets with a 110-98 home victory on Thursday, April 30, without Edwards, but the Nuggets are a different challenge than the Spurs, who boast the league's most disruptive defender in Wembanyama.

Series Schedule and Broadcast Details

Game 1 is set for Monday, May 4, at 9:30 p.m. ET in San Antonio, broadcast on Peacock and NBCSN. Game 2 follows on Wednesday, May 6, at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The series then shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Friday, May 8 (9:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video) and Game 4 on Sunday, May 10 (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock). If necessary, Game 5 would be in San Antonio on Tuesday, May 12; Game 6 in Minnesota on Friday, May 15; and Game 7 back in San Antonio on Sunday, May 17. All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Regular-Season Context and Playoff Stakes

The Timberwolves won the only regular-season meeting between the teams, 125-112 on November 30, but that game featured Edwards, who scored 28 points. Without him, the Timberwolves will need contributions from players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert to keep pace. The Spurs, meanwhile, have been one of the league's best home teams, and the absence of Edwards tilts the series heavily in their favor. The NBA had hoped for a marquee matchup between Wembanyama and Edwards, but Edwards' injury has muted that storyline, at least for now.

What Comes Next for Both Teams

The Timberwolves will monitor Edwards' recovery daily, but his return timeline remains uncertain. If he cannot play in the series, Minnesota will need to win games through defense and grit, a tall order against a Spurs team that is deep and well-coached. For San Antonio, this series represents a chance to reach the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2017. The Spurs have not advanced past the second round since that year, and with Wembanyama leading the way, they are poised to make a deep run.

The bottom line

• Victor Wembanyama and the No. 2 Spurs face the No. 6 Timberwolves in the West semifinals, a series reshaped by Anthony Edwards' knee injury.
• Edwards is week-to-week with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise, expected to miss multiple weeks.
• Game 1 is Monday, May 4, in San Antonio; the full schedule includes potential games through May 17.
• The Timberwolves upset the Nuggets in six games without Edwards, but face a tougher test against the Spurs.
• San Antonio won the regular-season meeting 125-112, but that game featured Edwards; his absence changes the dynamic.
• The Spurs aim for their first conference finals appearance since 2017, while Minnesota hopes Edwards can return to keep their playoff run alive.