Timberwolves tie Spurs series 2-2

Minnesota’s big news is simple — the Timberwolves stopped San Antonio’s surge and turned this series back into a best-of-three. The Wolves beat the Spurs 114-109 in Game 4 on Sunday, May 10, behind 36 points from Anthony Edwards, tying the Western Conference semifinal 2-2. But the game swung on something messier than a hot shooting night. Victor Wembanyama got ejected early in the second quarter after an elbow caught Naz Reid in the throat, and suddenly the whole shape of the night changed. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) ### Why was Game 4 such a pivot? Because San Antonio had all the momentum. The Spurs had dropped Game 1 by two points, then answered by crushing Minnesota 133-95 in Game 2 and taking Game 3 in Minneapolis 115-108. Another Spurs win would have put the Wolves on the brink. Instead, Minnesota dragged the matchup back to even and guaranteed at least two more games. ### What actually happened with Wembanyama? Early in the second quarter, Wembanyama swung an elbow toward Reid and was assessed a Flagrant 2, which means automatic ejection. (nba.com) It was the first ejection of Wembanyama’s career. He left with just 4 points and 4 rebounds in 13 minutes, which matters because San Antonio’s entire defense and a huge part of its offense bend around him. ### Did the ejection decide the game by itself? Not really — but it changed the math. (espn.com) Minnesota still had to close, and Edwards did the real star work late. He scored 16 of his 36 in the fourth quarter, which is basically the answer every time a playoff game gets tight and ugly. The Wolves didn’t just inherit control. They used the extra space and the emotional jolt to make the winning plays late. ### Why does Edwards matter more now? Because this series has become a test of who can create clean offense when everything slows down. (nba.com) Edwards is giving Minnesota that release valve. Through four games, he’s the Wolves’ series scoring leader at 24.5 points per game, and Game 4 showed the version of him Minnesota needs — downhill, patient, then explosive late. When the Spurs made their push, he had the answers. ### What does this mean for San Antonio? The Spurs lost the game, but not the series shape. (nba.com) Game 5 is back in San Antonio on Tuesday, May 12, and Wembanyama is expected to be available because the Game 4 ejection was an in-game disqualification, not a suspension announcement. The bigger issue is composure. San Antonio had spent two games looking like the more forceful, more organized team. In Game 4, that edge slipped. ### Is this suddenly a toss-up? Pretty much. Two days ago, it looked like San Antonio had solved Minnesota after back-to-back wins. (nba.com) Now the series is even, the Wolves have their confidence back, and the Spurs have to prove the Game 4 collapse was just one chaotic night. Home court helps San Antonio in Game 5, but the clean story — Spurs in control — is gone. ### So what should you watch next? Watch the first five minutes of Game 5. If Wembanyama comes out sharp and San Antonio reestablishes its size and pace, the Spurs can grab control again fast. (nba.com) If Edwards gets downhill early and Minnesota turns this into another late-game shot-creation contest, the pressure flips hard onto San Antonio. In a 2-2 series, that early tone suddenly matters a lot. ### Bottom line Minnesota didn’t just survive. It reset the matchup. Edwards gave the Wolves the star finish they needed, Wembanyama’s ejection blew open the middle of the game, and now Game 5 on May 12 feels like the real hinge point of the series. (espn.com) (nba.com)