SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 17: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Frost Bank Center on January 17, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading an d or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Timberwolves completed the upset. They defeated Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets in Game 6 110-98, without Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosumnu, and Kyle Anderson, to win the series 4-2. They will face the Spurs on Monday in the first game of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Timberwolves had an up-and-down season but had ample playoff experience heading into the postseason after two consecutive Conference Finals appearances. In that way, they were not a typical six-seed, but they were still considered an underdog against the Nuggets. Surprisingly, they went up 3-1 in the series, but they lost DiVincenzo for the rest of the season with an Achilles tear and were without Edwards, their superstar, who suffered a knee injury that could keep him out for weeks. Once Denver forced Game 6, it seemed like the third seed could mount a comeback despite having two major absences of their own in Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson. The Wolves had other plans. In a close, heated game in Minnesota, they held on to beat the Nuggets 110-98 and advance to the Semifinals, where the Spurs will be waiting. Jaden McDaniels, who made controversial statements to the media, delivered in the clincher, finishing with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Terrance Shannon Jr. had 24 points in his first playoff start. Jokic had 28 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists on the losing effort. The Spurs lost to the Nuggets in the last game of the regular season, which allowed Denver to be on their side of the bracket instead of Oklahoma City’s. At the time, it seemed like a missed opportunity to set themselves up for an easier path to the Conference Finals, but an inspired Rudy Gobert did a great job on Jokic on defense, McDaniels and Dosunmu had a fantastic series, and Minnesota came out on top, taking out one of the favorites to win the title. While facing a shorthanded Timberwolves team could be seen as a lucky break for the Spurs, it won’t be an easy matchup. Minnesota won the season series 2-1 and has a massive experience advantage. They are clearly missing a lot of firepower with DiVincenzo and Edwards out, but they are a tough team with a next-man-up mentality that makes them dangerous even while shorthanded, plus there’s a chance Edwards could return at some point in the second round. San Antonio should be favored to advance, but they will have to be ready to fight for every win. The Lakers lead the Rockets 3-2 in the other first-round series, which will determine who faces the Thunder in the other Semifinal. Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Spurs and Timberwolves will be played on Monday, May 4. ...read more read less