Edwards calms Timberwolves in return, sparks Game 1 win over Spurs
· Yahoo Sports
May 5 (UPI) -- Anthony Edwards attempted to strike fear into foes, shouting "I'm back" at the San Antonio Spurs bench after he made his first shot of a victory in Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinals series.
But the All-NBA guard, who returned from a knee injury, said his main role was to inject calm into his Minnesota Timberwolves teammates Monday in San Antonio. Edwards admitted he isn't yet back to himself athletically, but he summoned and spread serenity throughout the 104-102 triumph.
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"I'm not saying it's any pressure on any of my teammates, but it takes pressure off of everybody just knowing that I'm out there, I'm available to play," Edwards, who came off the bench, told reporters.
Edwards, who missed the final two games of a first-round series with the Denver Nuggets due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise, made 8 of 13 shot attempts for 18 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. He also logged three assists, three rebounds and a block in 25:15 of action.
"Ant was awesome," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. "He was really good. I forgot how good he was, actually."
Julius Randle scored a game-high 21 points, with 10 rebounds. Fellow Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels and guard Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 16 points apiece.
HASN'T MISSED A STEP. pic.twitter.com/PSfqATiksO— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 5, 2026
"It was huge," Randle said of Edwards' return. "For him to go out and do what he did. Just ability to bounce back and give us whatever he had out there was huge. He made a lot of big shots. I'm just super happy and super proud to have him back because you know what he brings to the game."
The Timberwolves narrowly outshot the Spurs 45.6% to 44.8%. They were outscored 58-54 in the paint, 27-10 off fast breaks and 33-32 off the bench. The game had 19 lead changes and was tied 17 times.
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama totaled 11 points, 15 rebounds, 12 blocks and five assists. Rookie guard Dylan Harper scored 18 points off the Spurs' bench.
The Timberwolves outscored the Spurs 24-23 in the first quarter, which had five lead changes. Edwards entered 3:07 after the tip-off. He made a turnaround fadeaway jumper in front of the Spurs bench about five minutes later. He then looked back at the Spurs bench and shouted "I'm back" as he ran back on defense.
The lead switched hands five more times in the second quarter, when the Spurs outscored the Timberwolves 22-21, but the game was tied 45-45 at the break.
The Spurs outshot the Timberwolves 57.9% to 37.5% in the third quarter to carry a 72-69 advantage into the final frame.
Edwards hit a 3-pointer on the first attempt of the fourth quarter. Guard De'Aaron Fox, who failed to score in the first half, helped the Spurs take an 84-81 lead with 8:22 remaining.
But the Timberwolves responded with a 13-2 surge and never trailed again.
Edwards made 5 of 7 attempts for his 11 fourth-quarter points. Randle chipped in nine over the final 12 minutes. The Spurs outscored the Timberwolves 8-3 over the final 1:34, but couldn't complete their rally.
Harper cut the deficit to two with a dunk with 31 seconds remaining and Randle missed a jump shot on the next possession. Spurs forward Julian Champagnie could not convert on a buzzer-beating 3-point attempt, resulting in the home loss.
The Timberwolves (1-0) will take on the Spurs (0-1) in Game 2 at 9:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday in San Antonio. Game 3 of the best-of-seven game series will be Friday in Minneapolis.
"We need to figure out before 48 hours what we can do better and I've got no doubt that we will," Wembanyama said. "I trust us."