SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 4: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr ees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The game never felt comfortable. Not for a second. Every possession was a fight. Every shot was earned. And by the time the final seconds ticked away Monday night, the difference between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves came down to a single shot that wouldn’t fall. San Antonio opened its Western Conference semifinal series with a narrow 104-102 loss, a game defined less by scoring runs and more by survival. From the opening tip, it was clear this wouldn’t be pretty. Shots clanged off the rim. Driving lanes disappeared as quickly as they opened. Both teams leaned into physicality, turning the game into a defensive grind that never allowed rhythm to settle in. “They’re physical, they guard the basketball really well,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said of Minnesota. “They take a lot of pride in it. In first half, I thought we were a bit indecisive, that hurt us in the first half, picked up pace in 2nd half. We missed some good shots.” Still, the Spurs never broke. They absorbed Minnesota’s pressure, matched their intensity, and kept the score within reach all night long. It wasn’t smooth or flashy, but it was enough to keep hope alive deep into the fourth quarter with a three point lead. If there was one force that shaped the night, it was Victor Wembanyama. Every time Minnesota thought it had an easy look at the rim, he was there: altering shots, blocking attempts, and reshaping the Timberwolves’ offense entirely. His performance was historic, anchoring a defensive effort that gave San Antonio every chance to steal Game 1. But even dominance on that end couldn’t solve everything and for all their defensive success, the Spurs struggled to find consistent scoring. Open looks were rare. Clean possessions were even rarer. And when opportunities did come, San Antonio couldn’t convert enough of them, especially from beyond the arc. “Offensively I used too much energy on things that didn’t really help our team. So that’s on me,” Wembanyama said after the game. “First thing, I need to start making some shots [in Game 2].” Instead, they leaned on balance. Contributions came from across the roster, with rookie guard Dylan Harper stepping into the moment and leading the team in scoring with 18 points. It was enough to stay close, even going into the final minutes. Unfortunately, it was not enough to steal the win from the jaws of defeat. For the Timberwolves, didn’t solve the Spurs’ defense. Instead, they handled it better than the Portland Trail Blazers. Timely baskets from Julius Randle helped create a sliver of separation late, while Anthony Edwards returned to the lineup and provided a spark that shifted momentum in key moments. In a game where neither side could build a cushion, those small bursts mattered. And in the final minutes, they were the difference. Despite off games from Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs still had a chance to win the basketball game. That alone should give the Spurs and their fans some hope going into Game 2. Game 1 didn’t reveal a mismatch. It revealed how thin the line is. The Spurs proved they can go toe-to-toe with Minnesota’s physicality, match their defense, and withstand the pressure of a playoff atmosphere. But they also learned how little room there is for error. Two points. One shot. A handful of possessions. That’s all that separated them from a different ending — and perhaps, a different start to the series. Game Notes De’Aaron Fox had one of his worst outings as a Spur, scoring 10 points on 35% shooting and turning the ball over six times. After the game, Fox told San Antonio Express-News’ Tom Orsborn that the loss is on him. “I think this game, in particular, I think it was on me,” he said. There has been debate on Mitch Johnson not calling timeout on the final play and that seems like the right move. Julian hits that shot 95% of the time. This was the 5% he didn’t. You move on. As bad as Fox and Wemby were, the Spurs almost stole Game 1 from the jaws of defeat. Encouraging for Game 2. Wemby’s 12 blocks are just incredible. De’Aaron Fox and Wemby combined for just 21 points and were 0-for-12 from three-point range. That’s not likely to happen again in this series or the rest of the playoffs. So that’s good news for the Spurs. ...read more read less