Anthony Edwards Guides Minnesota to Tie Series After Wembanyama Ejection

In a game defined by a sudden void and a singular will, Anthony Edwards proved once again why he is the heartbeat of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Playing through persistent knee pain, Edwards poured in 36 points to lead Minnesota to a 114-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at the Target Center, evening the Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2.

The contest was fundamentally altered early in the second quarter when the Spurs lost their generational centerpiece, Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 star was ejected just 3.5 minutes into the period after a Flagrant 2 foul. Wembanyama swung his right elbow, striking Timberwolves forward Naz Reid in the throat—a moment that shifted the tactical landscape of the game and placed the series’ momentum on a knife-edge.

Victor Wembanyama was given a flagrant 2 for this elbow on Naz Reid. pic.twitter.com/nYszYUspwJ — NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 11, 2026

For many, the ejection of a player of Wembanyama’s caliber would have signaled an inevitable Minnesota victory. However, the Spurs refused to fold, turning the game into a gritty mid-range clinic that forced the Timberwolves to fight for every inch of hardwood. Even without their defensive anchor, San Antonio’s guards stepped up with surprising poise. Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox each scored 24 points, while Stephon Castle added 20, keeping the Spurs competitive deep into the second half.

The Fourth Quarter Surge

The drama peaked in the final frame. Despite the early advantage provided by the ejection, Minnesota found themselves trailing 94-86 with less than nine minutes remaining. The Target Center crowd grew anxious as San Antonio threatened to steal Game 4 and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

That is when Anthony Edwards took over. Scoring 16 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, Edwards became a one-man offensive engine. He ignited the comeback with a cold-blooded 27-footer that brought the Wolves within three, punctuating the shot by shouting to the Minneapolis crowd to find their voice. Minutes later, a catch-and-shoot three-pointer from the wing gave Minnesota a 98-97 lead—their first since midway through the third quarter.

“We got to capitalize when Wemby’s out of the game,” Edwards told NBC’s Zora Stephenson after the final buzzer. “You know, we came out thinking like it was gonna be easy, but those guys are really good, even without Wemby. And so we still had to play hard, and I had to just take it upon myself and try to get us to win.”

Paint Dominance and Supporting Cast

While Edwards provided the perimeter fireworks, the Timberwolves eventually exploited the absence of Wembanyama’s rim protection. Rudy Gobert, who finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, became a focal point in the closing minutes. Gobert converted a critical three-point play off a feed from Naz Reid and later slammed home a dunk to push the lead to 107-101 with under two minutes to play.

Naz Reid played a pivotal role beyond the incident that led to the ejection. Reid finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, providing the versatility Minnesota needed to stretch the Spurs’ defense. His follow-up shot with 40 seconds remaining effectively sealed the seven-point lead, though the Spurs made a late push via Dylan Harper to keep the final margin at five.

For readers unfamiliar with the playoff format, a 2-2 tie in a best-of-seven series creates a high-stakes “mini-series” scenario. The next two games essentially function as a new best-of-three, where the first team to reach four wins advances to the Western Conference Finals.

Looking Ahead: Game 5 and the Wembanyama Question

The series now shifts back to San Antonio, where the Spurs will host Game 5 on Tuesday. The looming question for both franchises is the availability of Victor Wembanyama. Because the ejection was the result of a Flagrant 2 foul, his status for the next game is subject to review and determination by the NBA league office.

If the league imposes a suspension, the Spurs will be forced to rely on the unexpected brilliance of Harper and Fox. If Wembanyama returns, Minnesota must find a way to neutralize his length without relying on the chaos of an ejection. For the Timberwolves, the confidence boost of surviving a late-game scare—powered by an inspired Edwards—could be the intangible edge they need on the road.

Game 4 Key Statistics

The series remains one of the most unpredictable matchups of the NBA Playoffs, blending veteran poise with the raw talent of the league’s newest superstars. Whether this was a lucky break for Minnesota or a testament to Edwards’ inevitability remains to be seen.

Next Checkpoint: Game 5 takes place Tuesday in San Antonio. Check back for the official league ruling on Victor Wembanyama’s availability.

Do you think the Timberwolves can close this out on the road, or will a returning Wembanyama tilt the series back toward San Antonio? Let us know in the comments.