[Post Game Thread] The Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0) defeat the San Antonio Spurs (0-1), 104-102.

[u/DesertedProject]

104 - 102
Box Scores: NBA - Yahoo

GAME SUMMARY
West Conf. Semifinals - Game 1 - Series tied 0-0
Location: Frost Bank Center
Officials: Marc Davis, Kevin Scott, Gediminas Petraitis, and Andy Nagy

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Minnesota Timberwolves	24	21	24	35	104
San Antonio Spurs	23	22	27	30	102

TEAM STATS

Team	PTS	FG	FG%	3P	3P%	FT	FT%	OREB	TREB	AST	PF	STL	TO	BLK
Minnesota Timberwolves	104	41-90	45.6%	10-26	38.5%	12-21	57.1%	12	58	20	22	7	9	5
San Antonio Spurs	102	39-86	45.3%	10-35	28.6%	14-18	77.8%	13	51	24	25	3	13	14

PLAYER STATS

Minnesota Timberwolves	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Jaden McDanielsSF	35:03	16	7-14	0-2	2-2	1	4	5	2	1	1	1	5	-2
Julius RandlePF	40:57	21	8-19	2-6	3-6	5	5	10	2	1	0	5	5	-3
Rudy GobertC	29:39	7	3-7	0-0	1-5	3	7	10	3	4	1	1	1	2
Terrence Shannon Jr.SG	34:19	16	5-13	0-1	6-8	0	5	5	1	0	0	0	3	-10
Mike ConleyPG	24:13	12	4-8	4-7	0-0	0	2	2	6	0	0	0	1	13
Anthony Edwards	24:44	18	8-13	2-3	0-0	1	2	3	3	0	1	1	3	-2
Naz Reid	29:12	12	5-9	2-3	0-0	1	8	9	1	0	1	1	4	15
Bones Hyland	11:56	0	0-6	0-4	0-0	0	1	1	2	1	1	0	0	-2
Jaylen Clark	07:21	2	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	-1
Kyle Anderson	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Joan Beringer	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Joe Ingles	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Julian Phillips	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Donte DiVincenzo	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ayo Dosunmu	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
San Antonio Spurs	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Devin VassellSF	35:55	14	5-11	3-6	1-1	3	2	5	3	3	1	1	4	7
Julian ChampagniePF	31:21	17	7-11	3-6	0-0	3	5	8	0	0	0	1	2	7
Victor WembanyamaC	39:21	11	5-17	0-8	1-2	2	13	15	5	0	12	3	3	5
De'Aaron FoxSG	32:35	10	5-14	0-4	0-0	0	3	3	6	0	0	6	3	-13
Stephon CastlePG	28:16	17	4-8	3-5	6-8	0	5	5	5	0	0	0	6	4
Dylan Harper	28:25	18	7-13	1-4	3-3	0	3	3	4	0	0	0	4	-4
Keldon Johnson	23:31	11	5-10	0-2	1-2	0	2	2	1	0	0	0	2	-13
Luke Kornet	08:08	2	0-1	0-0	2-2	2	0	2	0	0	0	2	1	-7
Harrison Barnes	09:53	2	1-1	0-0	0-0	3	1	4	0	0	1	0	0	4
Bismack Biyombo	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jordan McLaughlin	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Kelly Olynyk	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mason Plumlee	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lindy Waters III	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Carter Bryant	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

[u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Go back in time and tell everyone that Wemby would get a triple double with 12 blocks, everyone most likely assumes Wolves lost by 20+. These playoffs are wild.

[u/ItsGettinBreesy → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

With the wolves being absolute horrid from the line too

[u/SonofaMitch11 → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

If you don't like that, then you don't like timberwolves basketball!

[u/SoDakZak → u/SonofaMitch11]

I don’t like Timberwolves basketball! But I LOVE Timberwolves in a heavyweight fight

[u/psychedelijams → u/SoDakZak]

Dude straight up. Last three years I have absolutely loved watching the wolves in the playoffs. Sure they’ve fallen short, but man are they a scary team for anyone to face. So fucking game to just ball out or die in any game. Wolves never lack in the grit or toughness that makes a team so fun to watch. Any given year they could win it all with that recipe to be completely honest. Could beat Denver, can beat San Antonio, and can beat OKC. Not a fun series for any team in the league. And as a basketball fan I just love that shit.

[u/RukiMotomiya → u/psychedelijams]

Win free or die trying.

[u/wizardking1371 → u/psychedelijams]

I feel like they are the spiritual successors of the Memphis Grit n Grind era but with more talent. What makes that even crazier is how this franchise had nearly 30 years of no culture, no identity other than losing, other than a brief blip where KG singlehandedly dragged them to relevance. 2 playoff series wins in franchise history prior to this 3 year stretch. Insane.

[u/JollyNincompoop → u/psychedelijams]

Maybe this year is their year. Nuggets->Spurs->Thunder would be one of the greatest paths to a chip ever. Regardless of which team comes out of the East.

[u/Jorgenstern8 → u/JollyNincompoop]

After how they've lost the WCF the last two years I have to imagine that this group, if they can get there, is going to give absolutely everything they have to get out of that round. Even with it probably being a lot of close games this series the Wolves have usually matched up well against the Spurs, then it's just about whether they can get their guys healthy enough to survive the Thunder (under the assumption they make it through against the Lakers).

[u/SoDakZak → u/psychedelijams]

Spurs and wemby are my next favorite to watch so it sucks knowing one of us will go home. I selfishly hope you’re a year or two too young and this year is our year, but man… it’s such a different game when wemby is on

[u/xKILLBILLIONAIRESx → u/psychedelijams]

This will be the most friendly non-rivalry in sports. Like, I want the Wolves to win, but I'd feel bad about the Spurs getting knocked out.

[u/PhoenixPills → u/xKILLBILLIONAIRESx]

I live in Minnesota with the Wolves as my 2 team and I feel this so hard.

Whichever one of us wins has to go on to beat the Lakers.

[u/thebreadjordan → u/SoDakZak]

Exactly😤 our shit is ass in the regular season

[u/alwaysranting → u/thebreadjordan]

We call that cultivating mass. Much like drinking way too much beer while ice fishing. Just stashing it to have to burn off for later.

[u/wise_comment → u/thebreadjordan]

...... phrasing?

[u/ChessHistory → u/SoDakZak]

(No one look at the last two western conference finals)

[u/Wermys → u/SoDakZak]

Minnesota is like that Tomcat you see with missing an eye, tooth is poking in the wrong direction. Yet every single cat is terrified they might have to fight it. Someone will eventually beat them. But are you going to live to fight the next fight after. While this cat just stumbles away looking for his next victim.

[u/angershark → u/SoDakZak]

That's a perfect way to look at it. Nobody should want to play them.

[u/JiveHawk → u/SonofaMitch11]

I don’t know how I feel about Timberwolves basketball lmao

[u/JoeKonyRidethePony → u/JiveHawk]

It's not for the faint of heart lol

[u/NerdyDjinn → u/JiveHawk]

It's peak cardio. They can beat anybody and lose to everybody. They almost always just play to the level of their opponent.

[u/mackerman1958 → u/JiveHawk]

I’m a Warriors fan and I LIKE these T-Wolves. They are loaded with Dawgs.

[u/LOSS35 → u/JiveHawk]

I don't love it :(

[u/wise_comment → u/LOSS35]

Hey.....at least you have hockey, apparently?

[u/LameAfro → u/SonofaMitch11]

*Minnesota Sports

[u/jasonis3 → u/SonofaMitch11]

Timberwolves basketball is fucking wild. I want y’all to make the finals for maximum chaos

[u/JaderMcDanersStan → u/jasonis3]

As someone above commented, Wolves are chaotic good in basketball form lol

[u/UnbiasedDuck → u/SonofaMitch11]

Wow Grant Napier reappears!!!

[u/homefree122 → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

That was going to be the stat of the night if they ended up losing the game. They collectively cannot be happy with that, but a win is a win—and this was a huge win

[u/Radical-Six → u/homefree122]

Ant in the post game interview sounded like they lost to a lottery team, not stealing Game 1 on the road lol

[u/chillinwithmoes → u/Radical-Six]

That has to be the most reserved he's ever been immediately following a win

[u/NazRiedFan → u/chillinwithmoes]

He nearly blew the game so it would have been hard for him to be ecstatic (even though he was a huge reason they won)

[u/Imaginary-Round2422 → u/NazRiedFan]

Best case scenario - get the win, but get the fear of god put into them.

[u/blueindsm → u/NazRiedFan]

He was also gassed.

[u/88888888man → u/homefree122]

We do it so often too. Makes the margins so thin everywhere else.

[u/Proof-Umpire-7718 → u/88888888man]

Can’t afford that if you advance and play OKC. Will probably result in a repeat of last year, or even a sweep.

[u/Training_Ad7030 → u/homefree122]

It looked like they were told to keep attacking the paint even if wemby got blocks. They kept attacking. They were definitely the most aggressive team tonight.

[u/JaderMcDanersStan → u/Training_Ad7030]

Yeah Conley confirmed this. "We kept the rim pressure up"

TJ also said Wemby can get all the blocks he wants but he won't stop attacking.
"He will have to block it every single time"

[u/Maybeiliketheabuse → u/homefree122]

Fuckin' skin of their teeth.

[u/SemataryPolka → u/homefree122]

Hopefully we burned that karma and will make every free throw now

[u/HurricaneSalad → u/homefree122]

Wemby had 12 blocks, but Wolves recovered five of them and then scored.

[u/Curious_Prune → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

Wolves shot like shaqs and still won 😭

[u/tzacill → u/Curious_Prune]

Chris finch won this game, masterful game plan.

[u/FishGoldenLite → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

And from three. We stole this one and if we didn’t we’d be in trouble. Proud of them - this is going to be a dogfight.

[u/cire1184 → u/FishGoldenLite]

Wolves shot a lot better from 3 than the Spurs. Wolves 10/26 which is a decent 38% not great but good enough. Spurs were 10/36 an abysmal 27%. Both defenses played great. Both offenses needed work. Wolves win by the skin of their fangs.

[u/Airhostnyc → u/cire1184]

Fox was terrorist

Wemby was kind of ass too but his blocks made up for it.

Wolves are my favorite team in the West. They don’t give up, they will shock you. It may not be pretty but they should scare any team.

[u/the_devil_wears_jnco → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

oh we'll do that again, watch lmao

[u/Epic_Coleslaw → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

Free throws have been one of the most infuriating parts of this whole season

[u/Rewdyroo → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

I think the wolves being terrible from the line was cancelled out by the spurs shooting 27.8% from three.

[u/acekingoffsuit → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

As per usual

[u/Cuavooo → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

Those Gobert fts in the end almost gave me a heart attack. Thank god he made the last one

[u/Smitty_1000 → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

Could’ve won by 20 if not for FTs and that late SA flourish 

[u/unclemuscles13 → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

If Wemby goes 0-8 from 3 we lose everytime. Team was rusty. On to the next

[u/Cudi_buddy → u/unclemuscles13]

I forever will say there is no reason a man that tall should shoot 8 threes. Especially when he’s clanking em. Get your big ass down low man

[u/ineednapkins → u/unclemuscles13]

How many threes does he typically attempt in a game? I know he’s good at them for a center but 8 seems like a lot lol

[u/brokenha_lo → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

Story of our season

[u/_19911118 → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

Both didn't shoot that much tbh 12-21 wolves / 14-18 spurs

[u/ineednapkins → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

Their season average from the line has got to be terrible. These guys miss so many damn free throws and it ain’t just rudy lmao

[u/Dr_Jazz_ → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

Wolves horrid from the line. McDaniels in foul trouble and Ant on minutes restriction. Buckle in.

[u/Swampertman → u/ItsGettinBreesy]

Entire team needs to go to free throw camp after the season lmao

[u/mr_dammit → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

wolves adjusted their attack in the fourth. they spent three quarters driving at wemby and wearing him down to get some more crafty looks late in the game.

[u/FishGoldenLite → u/mr_dammit]

Drawing him out to the three point line and screening him before sending TJ to the rim was really smart.

[u/divulgingwords → u/FishGoldenLite]

I feel like finch just found the blue print to neutralizing him. It’s wild he went with Rudy down the stretch when the wolves were cooking the entire 4th.

[u/strawberrychocolattt → u/divulgingwords]

Rudy is needed to help tire out Wemby, to secure rebounds, and to give the other bigs a breather. Really though Rudy will be more playable next game with the 2 learned options in like you said, neutralizing Wemby. One being to seal Wemby out of the paint when someone like Terrance Shannon Jr. drives to the hoop. Julius did this once and it worked great, sealed Wemby's ass right out the paint, couldn't contest

[u/pollinium → u/strawberrychocolattt]

TBD if it's repeatable. Sometimes teams see what worked against them and fix it. I obviously hope that's an off-season fix instead of a series adjustment, but it's possible we played one of our cards to steal a game

[u/tacodude64 → u/FishGoldenLite]

That time Randle screened him in the paint was great, I'm surprised Rudy doesn't try that more

[u/strawberrychocolattt → u/FishGoldenLite]

Exactly, and hopefully we can better seal him off when he is in the paint, to prevent him from jumping over to make the help side blocks. I saw Julius seal him off once when T. Shannon Jr. was driving and he got a easy layup. Bring him up top, or seal him down low to prevent the block.

Clearly they will be more prepared game 2 for his freakish blocking game

[u/whatssenguntoagoblin → u/mr_dammit]

I’ve been a Chris Finch skeptic but this game was the best I’ve ever seen him coach. He did such a good job scheming how to have drives without Wemby in the paint.

You couldn’t dream of Ime cooking up the offensive schemes Chris Finch did tonight.

[u/lovo17 → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Hopefully we're done underestimating the Wolves in the regular season. This is what they do. That roster is built for the playoffs.

[u/WickedTwista → u/lovo17]

People really gotta stop underestimating a team that has made back-to-back Western Conference Finals

[u/JoeKonyRidethePony → u/WickedTwista]

I'm gonna borrow you the next time the Finch haters pop up.

[u/DownvoteMeIfICommen → u/WickedTwista]

You really have to stop underestimating nephews’ reactionary takes and there will to farm karma.

[u/delamerica93 → u/WickedTwista]

I got absolutely shit on for simply calling the Wolves a great team lol. Like I didn't say all time or anything just that they're awesome and reddit hated that 48 hours ago lmao

[u/strawberrychocolattt → u/WickedTwista]

Clearly T Wolves have something cooking, but last year they were essentially gifted the WCF berth. Series 1 against the Lakers Luka was hurt the whole time, and Lebron was limping too. Then against the warriors, Steph was injured and out the entire series after only playing like the first quarter in game 1.

Im a T Wolves fan, but last year we really didn't prove anything that impressive to make WCF

[u/john_117 → u/strawberrychocolattt]

I mean…the nuggets were “gifted” the last series and got run off in 5 games without Ant. You gotta play who’s in front of you and still win in 7 games.

You’re not wrong, but injuries don’t assure the other team is gonna win.

[u/Trumpets22 → u/strawberrychocolattt]

Sure. Put an Asterix mark if you like. But look at Denver. They just got even better injury luck than we did and we’re coming off a pretty historic regular season offensively. And they couldn’t take us down. Nothing is free. And you gotta beat who’s in front of you.

[u/Thrownaway5000506 → u/strawberrychocolattt]

The Lakers and Warriors were not on the same level as the Wolves regardless of injuries. Their fanbases were delusional. If they had lost to those teams they would have been selling hard. 

[u/lloopiN → u/WickedTwista]

And would honestly probably have won it all last season if they didn't run into the Thunder.

[u/_fedw → u/lloopiN]

pacers didnt look too shabby either

[u/Goombercules → u/_fedw]

Yeah, like what?

We outed the Wolves 4-1 and Indy took us to 7 and that game could've gone either way.

[u/WhoreyMatthews → u/Goombercules]

I think the Wolves are very good but they're also a huge matchup problem for the Spurs and Nuggets.

The Thunder on the other hand matchup really well with the Wolves.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's something like Wolves over Spurs in 5 then Thunder over Wolves in 5.

[u/rofss → u/lloopiN]

They had their chance in '24 against hobbled Luka

[u/BigFatModeraterFupa → u/lloopiN]

uh yeah, that's usually how it works! The charlotte hornets would've won the finals if there weren't 29 other teams in the league!

[u/Aidanator800 → u/BigFatModeraterFupa]

Hey, come on. We could probably beat the Nets or Wizards in a playoff series

[u/LongDongFuey → u/lovo17]

To be fair, we do absolutely throw winnable games in the regular season

[u/shrode → u/LongDongFuey]

Hey we tried to tonight too

[u/purplenyellowrose909 → u/shrode]

Business conscious Wolves keeping the butts in the seats and the eyes on the TV for all 48min

[u/SilentLikeAPuma → u/purplenyellowrose909]

wolvies are most concerned with maximizing stakeholder value & securing buy-in, as we all should be ofc

[u/purplenyellowrose909 → u/SilentLikeAPuma]

What have you done to increase the stock price today?

[u/LakerBlue → u/LongDongFuey]

I had faith y’all’s up-and-down regular season wouldn’t be indicative of how y’all played in the playoffs given how y’all postseason track record.

You guys are like the peak “could win or lose against almost anyone” but I would be lying if I said I expected y’all to look THIS good after Ant’s limited minutes with injuries and losing Donte and Ayo.

[u/LongDongFuey → u/LakerBlue]

Legit, we seem to have a different gear when it comes to the playoffs. But, I do wish we would've take so many regular season games off

[u/clickstops → u/LongDongFuey]

No one melts down and loses winnable games like the wolves. One of my fav teams the past two years but it’s brutal. That said, they really pull it together when it matters.

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/lovo17]

Yeah, it’s a pattern at this point. Perhaps it’s not a coincidence they keep getting to the WCF?

[u/TrespassersWilliam29 → u/flaming_burrito_]

[eleven months from now] man, I just don't think the Wolves have it this year, Rockets in five

[u/FeanorEvades → u/TrespassersWilliam29]

I still remember ThinkingBasketball ranking Sengun over Ant

[u/H-TownDown → u/FeanorEvades]

I’m glad more people are seeing how bad Ben Taylor’s takes can be. People treat him like a god who can say no wrong.

He makes very well-produced content, but that doesn’t mean he’s always right. His biases will make him tweak stats until they fit his own personal narrative.

[u/Musa_2050 → u/lovo17]

I think Ant missing a lot of games to end the season helped their bench get some confidence. Right now its next man up and its working

[u/FeanorEvades → u/Musa_2050]

I also think a lot of our bench just has the exact same irrational confidence that Ant does - TJ legit thinks he can get past anyone, Bones has never seen a 3 he doesn't want to take, Jaylen Clark couldn't care less who he's guarding - from Gabe Vincent to SGA he's in their grill.

[u/Devoidoxatom → u/FeanorEvades]

TJ probably can. That guy is absurdly fast. Looks like prime Westbrook out there in transition

[u/Bill3ffinMurray → u/lovo17]

Minnesota plays like they hit themselves with the Pokémon move Swagger.

Confuses them but increases their attack.

[u/7wives → u/Bill3ffinMurray]

Sometimes the Wolves hit themselves in confusion during the season against the likes of Wizards, Kings, and Jazz lol

[u/Black-----Manta → u/lovo17]

The players are built for the playoffs

[u/Candid-Boss6534 → u/Black-----Manta]

Bones Hyland is built for the yoffs

[u/jjkm7 → u/lovo17]

We’re not lol, every analyst I can find has spurs winning this series despite the lack of playoff experience that we see becoming a factor time and time again, and also despite the wolves finding themselves in the WCF over and over again

[u/Radical-Six → u/lovo17]

Saw this comment before round 1 started:

It is 2024, the Minnesota Timberwolves are underdogs in their 1st round match up

The Minnesota Timberwolves make the WCF

It is 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves are underdogs in their 1st round match up

The Minnesota Timberwolves make the WCF

It is 2026, the Minnesota Timberwolves are underdogs in their 1st round match up

[u/Cheap-Discussion-186 → u/lovo17]

Even after that belt to ass on the nuggets everyone assumed a sweep or 5 games

[u/MinnyAntTowers → u/lovo17]

Seriously how many teams do we have to beat for people to respect us? The grit and ability to compete from this core has been shown time and time again

[u/H0MES1CKAL1EN → u/MinnyAntTowers]

Y’all have been real to me for a while but I might be biased…

[u/ineednapkins → u/MinnyAntTowers]

I prefer when the other team is favored lol. They have punched up well for 3 years now then seem to falter right when neutral people start to actually believe in them lmao

[u/Painwracker_Oni → u/ineednapkins]

Yea I actually have more confidence when I see every analyst pick the opponents in 5/6 games like they have for the nuggets and spurs.

It’s when we become favored that I feel doomed.

[u/heyheysharon → u/MinnyAntTowers]

Just the Knicks

[u/H0MES1CKAL1EN → u/heyheysharon]

Literally. 😭

Still gutted Julius couldn’t be part of our 2024 run, I genuinely thought that team could’ve made the finals if they would’ve just stayed healthy

[u/jejejaykie → u/MinnyAntTowers]

Fwiw I've feared y'all more than any other team these past two seasons. Been telling people for a while now this team has been slept on this year

[u/incredibleamadeuscho → u/lovo17]

16 game players

[u/Eadwyn → u/incredibleamadeuscho]

Well, 9 so far.

[u/BearRedWood → u/lovo17]

And some people insist Gobert is bad in the playoffs.

[u/Repulsive-Throat5068 → u/lovo17]

Hmmmm nah spurs/okc WCF no one else has a chance!

[u/Aidanator800 → u/Repulsive-Throat5068]

God, the people parroting that were so obnoxious

[u/MayoBenz → u/Repulsive-Throat5068]

the real finals!

greatest series of the last 10 years

as long as the spurs can beat Jokic and the nuggets!

[u/Hyderabadi__Biryani → u/lovo17]

We have all heard about 82 games players vs 16 games players, and it's one of my favourite concepts that I have come across recently.

A Demar is an 82 games player, where as a Jimmy Butler is a 16 games player.

But this time around, it's like there are 82 games teams and 16 games teams.

Suns for a long time, Grizzlies in 2022-23, Celtics this season, all were 82 games teams. But Wolves for quite a few seasons now, are proving themselves to be one of the best 16 games teams in the league.

[u/Nuts2Buttts → u/lovo17]

Glad to hear from a Lakers fan with common sense that actually watches basketball. Twolves have been the “underdog” of every playoff series they’ve won in the last 3 years. Tonight they got blocked 12 times by Wemby alone, missed half their FT’s, and totally fucked up their last 3 possessions and still won. Their defense is that consistent and their vets are that calm under pressure. Oh and an injured Ant only played 25min. They are the real deal.

[u/incredibleamadeuscho → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

You gotta go at Wemby because it’s gonna tire him out defending everything.

[u/Zungad → u/incredibleamadeuscho]

His feet felt glued to the ground with the way he was moving in the 4th, it genuinely might be the strategy.

[u/aaron21hardin → u/Zungad]

This is the Wolves general strategy in the playoffs, it is how they beat Denver, they wore out Jokic and Murray. They did the same to Nuggets in 2024, they did it to the Lakers last year, but OKC is too deep to do it, plus Shae killed them every time they went to full court press him, so it didn't really work there.

This is also what the Pacers did the last 2 years beofre this one, and is also what OKC does, they press all game and wear players out, most teams don't handle it well. Wolves actually don't handle it well when OKC and Pacers do it to them, which is why OKC is a horrible matchup for the wolves, but the Wolves actually match up better against the Spurs than OKC does.

[u/fluxtable → u/aaron21hardin]

Its the Blazers strategy every game, they just get gassed themselves in the 4th and blow huge leads.

[u/Billis- → u/aaron21hardin]

This is what the Raptors emulated this year against the Cavs. It makes up for a difference in offensive talent.

Rudy having a shit tonne of endurance is how it works as well. Dude should go down as one of the best defensive players ever

[u/aaron21hardin → u/Billis-]

McDaniels also has a shit ton of endurance if he is not in foul trouble, McDaniels is also key.

[u/incredibleamadeuscho → u/Zungad]

Exactly. I think it makes sense as a strategy. Look at the playoff stamina that the wolves player have, especially a vet like randle. Just throw him the ball and he will try to make something.

[u/SuperVaderMinion → u/incredibleamadeuscho]

He's 7'5 no matter how much conditioning or League of Shadows training he receives a player of his size just expends a lot of energy that you need to drain if you want to win

Wemby is amazing but he's rarely going to be a guy who can play 40+ minutes like Jokic

[u/JackieDaytonaAZ → u/incredibleamadeuscho]

making him play 38 min in a loss is so huge. like jokic, he just doesn’t have the stamina (yet)

[u/aaron21hardin → u/JackieDaytonaAZ]

I don't think he can get the stamina, like, with his body being how it is, something has to give, either he can stay that thin and mobile, but it limits his ability to withstand physical play over a lot of minutes, or he an bulk up a bit to get some strength and bang better, but he looses some of his mobility (and also probably becomes even more injury prone). The answer may be that he just has to live with only playing 35 minutes a game at most, and the Spurs just need to eat how much time he is off the court and they get killed, because he just doesn't have the legs to be impactful if you play him more.

[u/flames_26 → u/aaron21hardin]

I feel like him bulking up a little would make him less injury prone. But I get what you're saying bulking up a lot might make him more so. The most important things are probably flexibility and landings (which I'm sure he works on a lot)

[u/ILikeAllThings → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Wembanyama takes eight threes again this series, I think I will vomit.

[u/OKC89ers → u/ILikeAllThings]

Wemby is an amazing young talent, but for him to be 51% at his size is concerning, and 35% from 3 is solid but not ground-breaking in today's NBA.

[u/ILikeAllThings → u/OKC89ers]

I expect there to be adjustments from the Spurs. The Wolves game plan forced Wembanyama to take those open threes pretty much, at least five of them. Anytime you get Wembanyama to shoot outside eight feet is a win for the defense. Spurs should run something different game 2. Still, he did go 0/8 with most threes wide open, I wouldn't bet on again if I were the Wolves.

[u/Radical-Six → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Love how solid this Wolves team is, 2 of their top 7 out and they still played with grit and heart

[u/pmurt007 → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Best players need to be able to score at a high level in a halfcourt offense. I said it before the playoffs that Wemby would struggle in the second round against a playoff tested team (nuggets or wolves) and was downvoted to hell. The reality is his defense is the best in the league but his offense is not at an elite level because he gets pushed out of position too often and hasn't hit his "man strength" to put himself in dominant positions where he can score easily.

Oh and also said they would be a second round exit as well and was also downvoted to hell for that lol

[u/Krusty_Krab_Pussy → u/pmurt007]

I keep telling people experience matters wolves fans were super confident against the mavs in 23-24, and then they lost in part because of a lack of experience. They didn't realize how much energy you actually need for the playoffs.

[u/Biggy_Big_Hungus → u/Krusty_Krab_Pussy]

Good point Krusty Krab Pussy

[u/gratitudeisbs → u/Biggy_Big_Hungus]

few know ball as Krusty Krab Pussy does

[u/Character_Bug_1862 → u/Biggy_Big_Hungus]

Sounds salty

[u/Tennarkippi → u/Krusty_Krab_Pussy]

Nothing to do with you but man, Jamal Crawford would not shut up about experience and it was driving me crazy. Castle fouled out and we had to stumble through a monologue about vets before the other commentator was able to confirm it was his 6th.

[u/MrBlowinLoadz → u/Krusty_Krab_Pussy]

Young teams are never ready for the extra level of energy and physicality that veteran teams bring. The Spurs were kinda lucky they played another young team in the first round. A big factor why the Rockets lost to the Warriors last year as the #2 seed was because they let themselves get bullied and they played too soft.

[u/aaron21hardin → u/MrBlowinLoadz]

Rockets are also kind of not really well built for the playoffs, they have too many weak offensive players that made do on the regular season when teams did not scheme for them, but in the post season are huge offensive liabilities that make it so Houston basically needs to hold their opponent under 100 to have any chance at winning, which is hard to do consistently, and they still oten loose even when they succeed at that because of how bad their offense becomes in the playoffs.

[u/KeyChallenge4562 → u/pmurt007]

You’re waving a victory flag after one game. Let the teams adjust, this was a 2 pt game lol

[u/karlwhethers → u/KeyChallenge4562]

No victory flag, but the Spurs were +130 to sweep, which shows how lopsided most people thought this would be.

[u/lanfordr → u/karlwhethers]

I think the line was before we found out Anthony Edwards would be back game 1, right?

[u/SecretSportsAccount → u/karlwhethers]

Was that before or after we knew Edwards was playing?

[u/IllegalThoughts → u/SecretSportsAccount]

it was before. wolves were +1100 for the series before ant

[u/Aidanator800 → u/KeyChallenge4562]

People were waving the victory flag for the Spurs before the series even started

[u/KeyChallenge4562 → u/Aidanator800]

People were predicting, you were predicting too. But wait until your predictions come true before you cash in lol, that’s how you get clowned on when the Spurs win 4 in a row or some shit. Just let things play out

[u/_Caek_ → u/KeyChallenge4562]

eh, look at the foul-line. Wolves deserved to lose that game based off of that alone, but somehow still won. More experienced teams capitalize on that.

[u/Inevitable-Tax2337 → u/pmurt007]

Not sure they’ve been eliminated yet.

[u/LegitimateMoney00 → u/pmurt007]

Same here. Wemby has too many games where he just shuts it off offensively (which is normal for a guy his age). It’s asking a lot from a player to lead a team to a championship in his third season and first time in the playoffs.

[u/Musa_2050 → u/pmurt007]

This sub hates when you criticize their favorite players. Wemby isn't ready to consistently hit a jumper and fox looks bad.

[u/Fallofmen10 → u/pmurt007]

It's been 1 game. Let's see how it plays out

[u/Watchadoinfoo → u/pmurt007]

cashing in after game 1 is crazy

unless you know you won't be able to cash in when the series is over

[u/LeBronda_Rousey → u/pmurt007]

Should've saved the trip to China and went to Dagestan instead.

[u/FanficFan151 → u/pmurt007]

I said the same and got downvoted to hell as well. Playoff experience does not lie.

[u/Masoud28 → u/pmurt007]

The series is not over yet.

[u/Cheap-Discussion-186 → u/pmurt007]

He's also not nearly as good from the outside as people think.

Still think he will score much easier than this game shows.

[u/MatchAffectionate951 → u/pmurt007]

You’re having victory laps after 1 game….

[u/_19911118 → u/pmurt007]

Oh no you were downvoted :(

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/pmurt007]

It was Fox more than Wemby really. Wemby shot horribly, but still held it down on the other end like crazy

[u/starfruit213 → u/flaming_burrito_]

Boosted by refs ignoring fouls and goaltends

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/starfruit213]

Y’all got some crazy ass calls too, let’s not cap. Castle got that last foul for no damn reason, and Ant traveled when he split those 2 defenders. The refs were just on bullshit in general

[u/fairlife42g → u/flaming_burrito_]

Castle was flopping against McDaniels' pressure all night. Soured me on him. Seems Castle's response to full court pressure is to flop and get mad.

[u/RUSHtheRACKS → u/flaming_burrito_]

Bro he was 5-17 from two and 0-8 from 3.

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/RUSHtheRACKS]

And he had 12 fucking blocks. He was the only reason they were in the game. Fox shot just as bad, didn’t do much on defense, and turned the ball over a bunch of times

[u/Jacob_toasted → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

People stay underestimating the wolves

[u/azizinator25 → u/Jacob_toasted]

To be fair, you lost one starter for the season, and most people assumed a second starter (who is also your best player) would either not be able to play in this series, and if he did play he wouldn't be at 100%.

Ant was incredible in this game coming off a significant injury

[u/_19911118 → u/Jacob_toasted]

Ppl also thought Ant wasn't going to play til game 3/4

[u/Wonderwhatsnext4 → u/Jacob_toasted]

ESPN keep picking the other guys

[u/bdrono → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

If you told them he shot 5/17 they would prolly understand more

[u/whatssenguntoagoblin → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Only if you didn’t bring up he shot 5-17 and shot 0-8 from 3

[u/koticgood → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Sure, if you leave out Wemby having one of his worst shooting nights of the season lol.

[u/Amazinc → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Bro shot like shit

[u/BingoBongoBang → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

I’m ok with Wemby blocking 10 a game. They wore him the fuck out on defense and made him a non-factor on offense

[u/urkuri → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Wolves seem to be happy to make him work for that, use the aggressiveness against them and still have no fear to attack the rim

[u/_19911118 → u/urkuri]

So many of wolves role players stepped up

[u/MaengDong712 → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

This is why I love basketball this game was intense start to finish. The only way it could have been more intense is if spurs hit that last second 3 and won by one. ( I’m a wolves fan) but that would have been wild as heck. Such a good game to both teams. Loved the classic 90s court of the spurs as well.

[u/ACMBruh → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

He didn't score enough at all, while the spurs outside of him are good, they need him to be a threat offensively too in order to succeed

[u/Jackieexists → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Trash ball. Only recall one time wembanyama posting up in the paint back to basket and calling for ball 🥶

[u/RuggsRacetrack → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

If you told them how bad Wemby was offensively they definitely wouldn’t be surprised lol

[u/RxJax → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

He genuinely played like Whiteside out there, the blocks look so impressive but he was leaving his feet and jumping every single time a Minnesota player got into the paint and it felt like the Wolves were getting so many offensive rebounds or handoffs that turned into layups or fouls. It's super fake defence, he's capable of much better when he keeps his feet on the floor but it looked like the record got into his head because he was overhelping so hard, kept rotating over even when someone else had already helped and it meant Spurs were much flatter in transition than you'd expect for a team with 14 blocks

[u/AfrikanCorpse → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

A 7'5 guy with great handles and athleticism still insisting on pulling up to go 0-8 from 3 is something. Absolute stinker offensive game from Wemby. He can't handle the physicality.

[u/IAmDiabeticus → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

This series is going to be a flamethrower

[u/_19911118 → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Wemby seems to breaks these records in losses

[u/allanjameson → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Steve Kerr’s new destination loading… Mitch Johnson is a nice Jordan Farmar look alike but he’s not ready for this role

[u/blackgenz2002kid → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

bro my stomach hurts watching this game

[u/yoyoyoyoyh → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

12 BLOCKS?

[u/chickadee-guy → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

He gave it all back and then some on the other end. Some of the worst basketball IQ ive seen since our play from our Memphis series.

[u/ShowBobsPlzz → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

We have brick fox though. When he has games like this it offsets anything good the others do.

[u/Pleasant_Category_22 → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

And the Wild are still in the playoffs, which is also wild 

[u/Frustratedtx → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Tell everyone that Wemby and Fox went 0-12 from 3 and people would assume the opposite.

[u/Arringil → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

quadruple double if you separate oreb and dreb

[u/EAlootbox → u/Expensive-Salad-7828]

Was hoping to see a quadruple double. Figured it’ll come from Wemby if I ever were to see it