A Pivotal Moment in Game 4
The Minnesota Timberwolves capitalized on a major turning point during Sunday night's matchup at the Target Center, securing a 114-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. This win levels the series at 2-2, setting the stage for a high-stakes Game 5.
The game shifted dramatically early in the second quarter when Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected following a physical altercation. The Timberwolves utilized this absence to claw their way back, eventually taking control in the final period.
The Incident Leading to Ejection
While battling for a rebound, Wembanyama became entangled with Jaden McDaniels. As the star center regained his balance, he swung his right elbow, striking Naz Reid directly in the chin. Reid collapsed to the court, triggering an immediate review by the officiating crew.
After examining the play in slow motion, officials assessed a Flagrant 2 foul, resulting in an automatic dismissal. Wembanyama, seemingly unfamiliar with the technicalities of the penalty, reportedly consulted teammate Harrison Barnes before exiting the court to the tunnel. He concluded his night with four points and four rebounds in just 12 minutes of play.
«It’s getting to a point that if the people that are in charge of controlling the game and protecting the physicality of the game don’t do that, then at some point he’s going to have to protect himself,» Spurs coach Mitch Johnson stated regarding the play.
Despite the physical nature of the contact, Johnson emphasized that he believed the action was unintentional and does not expect further disciplinary action from the league.
Anthony Edwards Leads the Timberwolves' Charge
Anthony Edwards proved to be the difference-maker, finishing the night with 36 points. His performance in the fourth quarter was clinical; he recorded 16 of his total points in that frame, including a decisive 3-pointer and a crucial second-chance basket that allowed Minnesota to pull ahead.
Following a late-game surge that featured an impactful slam dunk by Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves solidified their five-point lead. Gobert finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Naz Reid provided a significant boost off the bench with 15 points and nine rebounds.
For San Antonio, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper each contributed 24 points, but the team struggled significantly from behind the arc, connecting on only six 3-pointers throughout the contest. With the series now tied, both teams head into Tuesday's matchup with everything on the line.