Anthony Edwards Dropped 36 and the Spurs Just Lost Their Best Player to Ejection: Series Is Tied

The Minnesota Timberwolves just stole Game 4 from the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, and it happened in the most brutal way possible for San Antonio. Victor Wembanyama got ejected in the second quarter after an elbow to Naz Reid's chin, and suddenly the Spurs' entire defensive identity disappeared. Minnesota tied the series 2-2 on Sunday, which means this thing is going back to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday night, and nobody knows what version of the Spurs is going to show up.

Wembanyama's Absence Changed Everything in Crunch Time

Here's what made Game 4 so wild: the Timberwolves had been locked down all series. San Antonio had throttled them in Game 2, winning 133-95. But once Wembanyama hit the floor in the second quarter and got tossed, the paint opened up completely. Without Wembanyama patrolling the middle, the Timberwolves found their offensive rhythm for the first time in this series. Anthony Edwards went off for 36 points in 40 minutes, attacking the rim with real aggression. Rudy Gobert made two huge and-1 plays. Naz Reid added a putback. The Timberwolves had breathing room they hadn't seen before, and they capitalized.

Edwards Led the Way, but Wembanyama's Ejection Is the Story

San Antonio's young roster kept it tight until the final stretch. The Spurs were 2-1 up in the series and smelling blood. But Wembanyama's errant right elbow changed the entire complexion of Game 4. It was a painful moment for Reid, but it gifted Minnesota a lifeline. The Timberwolves guaranteed themselves a Game 6 at home on Friday night by winning 114-109 on the road, and now the series heads back to San Antonio completely reset.

Game 5 tips off Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. Wembanyama is unlikely to face suspension, which means he'll come back hungry to prove he can dominate in front of his home crowd. The Spurs have a chance to regain control, but Minnesota just proved that when their star players get hot, they can steal wins anywhere.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.