Timberwolves even series 2-2 vs Spurs

The Timberwolves didn’t just survive Game 4 — they grabbed their series back. Minnesota beat San Antonio 114-109 on Sunday night, tying the Western Conference semifinal 2-2 after Victor Wembanyama was ejected early in the second quarter for a Flagrant 2 elbow to Naz Reid’s throat. But the weird part is that the game did not instantly turn into a Wolves walkover. San Antonio still pushed ahead late, and Minnesota still had to win it the hard way. ### Why is everyone talking about the ejection? Because it changed the texture of the game immediately. With 8:39 left in the second quarter, Wembanyama got tangled up after a rebound, swung his right elbow, and caught Reid up high. Officials reviewed it, upgraded the call to a Flagrant 2, and that meant automatic ejection. Wembanyama walked off after just 13 minutes with four points, four rebounds, and three fouls. (nba.com) ### Was the game over once Wemby left? Not even close. That’s what makes this result more interesting than the headline. San Antonio had every excuse to fold, but instead the Spurs kept defending, kept scrapping, and even built an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter. For a while, the game looked like it might become a story about Minnesota wasting the biggest break it could possibly get. (nbcnewyork.com) ### So what actually won it for Minnesota? Anthony Edwards. Basically, this was one of those star-takes-over endings. Edwards scored 36 points total, and 16 of them came in the fourth quarter. When the Wolves needed somebody to settle the game, get downhill, and stop the wobble, he was the answer. Minnesota also got enough support around him to keep San Antonio from stealing the game late. (nba.com) ### Why does this say something about the Spurs too? Because San Antonio didn’t collapse when its best player disappeared. That matters. A younger team can unravel fast in that spot — especially on the road, in a playoff game, after a chaotic call. Instead, the Spurs kept the game in reach and nearly took it anyway. That tells you this series is not just “stop Wemby and you’re done.” Their structure is real. (sports.yahoo.com) ### Why has this matchup gotten so physical? Turns out that’s one of the central battles of the series. Minnesota has made Wembanyama work for every touch with Naz Reid, Julius Randle, and Jaden McDaniels leaning on him constantly. The Wolves are trying to move him off his spots, wear him down, and make the game ugly. In Game 4, that pressure finally boiled over in the worst possible way for San Antonio. (nba.com) ### What changed in the series picture? Everything feels reset now. San Antonio had won Game 3 and was one win away from a 3-1 lead. Instead, Minnesota protected home court, tied the series, and guaranteed at least two more games. The official series page lists Game 5 for Tuesday, May 12, in San Antonio, with Game 6 set for May 15 and Game 7, if needed, for May 17. (nba.com) ### What should both teams worry about next? For the Spurs, it’s composure and half-court offense if Minnesota keeps turning the series into a wrestling match. For the Wolves, it’s the fact that they still needed a late rescue after Wembanyama exited. That’s the catch — Minnesota got the break, but San Antonio still looked dangerous. (nba.com) ### Bottom line? Game 4 tied the series, but it also sharpened the real question. If Wembanyama stays on the floor, can Minnesota win this fight four times? Game 5 should tell us a lot. (nba.com)