Wemby's Historic Night Not Enough As Spurs Fall 104-102 To Timberwolves

The San Antonio Spurs first trip to the Western Conference semifinals since 2017 did not go according to plan.

Victor Wembanyama blocked an NBA playoff record 12 shots for the Spurs, but it was not enough as the Minnesota Timberwolves took Game One 104-102 to take a 1-0 series lead.

The two teams were locked in a defensive stalemate in the first half of the game. The game was tied 45-45 at halftime, but Stephon Castle had the highlight of the first half for San Antonio with a throwdown dunk to cut the Timberwolves lead.

The Spurs surged out of haltime, eventually taking a 72-69 lead by the end of the third quarter, spurred on by Wembanyama's historic night defensively. While the star Frenchman only had eight points on the night, he did have a usual Wembanyama posterization.

Wembanyama finished with 8 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and the 12 blocks. Dylan Harper added 16 points, while Stephon Castle added another 17 points. The problem for the Spurs, however, was three-point shooting.

For the night, the Spurs went 10-for-34 from long range, shooting just 44-percent from the floor in general.

The fourth quarter, the Timberwolves began to bite back. Minnesota reeled off a 13-2 run, building a nine-point lead. That despite the best efforts of Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox.

Minnesota would outscore San Antonio 35-28 in the fourth quarter, staving off a late surge by the Spurs, who trailed by just two with 30 seconds left. Julius Randle, who scored a game-high 21 points, missed a jumper with eight seconds left.

The Spurs had a chance at the win, but Julian Champagnie's three-pointer at the buzzer went begging.

Anthony Edwards, who returned from injury for the Timberwolves, added 18 points for Minnesota.

The win gives the Timberwolves a 1-0 series lead. Game two will be in San Antonio on Wednesday night.