For the first time in 25 years, the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves will meet in the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs. The Spurs and Timberwolves will begin their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals series on Monday, May 4, 2026 (Philippine time), at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. This is also the first time the two teams have faced each other in the semifinals. They last met in the postseason in 2001 during the first round, where the Spurs emerged victorious.
A New Era for the Spurs
Back then, San Antonio was led by two giants: Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Two decades later, the Spurs have a new giant in Victor Wembanyama, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, who averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 blocks. The No. 2 seed Spurs barely broke a sweat in the first round, eliminating the Portland Trail Blazers, 4-1.
Timberwolves' Upset Victory
On the other side, the No. 6 Timberwolves pulled off an upset by defeating the No. 3 Denver Nuggets, 4-2, despite missing their stars Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo due to injuries. The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, won the first game of the series, but the Timberwolves responded with three consecutive wins. The Nuggets managed another win in Game 5 before Minnesota closed out the series in Game 6 on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Edwards' Status Uncertain
According to reports, it is uncertain whether Edwards will return for the semifinals due to a left knee bone bruise and hyperextension. Edwards averaged 28.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for Minnesota this season.
The series also features a matchup between Wembanyama and his mentor, Rudy Gobert, both members of the French national team.
