Less than two weeks into 2026, it’s safe to say that everyone is tired.
That includes the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs. They will tip off Sunday evening in Minneapolis after both teams played one day earlier.
Minnesota is coming off a 146-134 loss on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid scored 25 points apiece, but it was not enough as the Cavaliers sprinted away with 83 points in the second half alone.
Meanwhile, San Antonio is coming off a 100-95 win on the road against the Boston Celtics on Saturday. Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox scored 21 points apiece in the win, and the Spurs boarded a plane for a late-night flight to Minnesota soon after.
This is the second of three meetings between the teams this season.
In the first matchup, the Timberwolves held on for a 125-112 win at home on Nov. 30. Edwards scored 32 points on 13-for-18 shooting, and Julius Randle finished with 22 points to go along with 12 assists and six rebounds.
Fox scored 25 points to lead the Spurs in their first game against Minnesota. Devin Vassell scored 22 points on 10-for-20 shooting, and Keldon Johnson matched him with 22 points off the bench on 8-for-13 shooting.
Edwards figures to be the top option for the Timberwolves once again on Sunday evening. He recently surpassed 10,000 career points and is confident that he can continue to improve during his age-24 season.
“Now, it’s just fun,” Edwards said. “I know they’re going to trap me. Whatever they’re going to do, I’ve got to answer for it, so it’s fun now.”
Edwards said a big reason for the Timberwolves’ recent success has been the performance of starters such as Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels.
“We’re spreading the floor, letting (Julius) be himself, be super aggressive,” Edwards said. “And then, ‘If you don’t have anything, just find us. We’re ready to shoot.’
“And Jaden is playing extremely well for us. We want him to be super aggressive, also. So, those two guys, it’s just really trying to fit in around them. I know it sounds crazy, but I don’t mind spacing the floor and catching and shoot, and playing off the catch, so just spacing around them.”
The biggest test for the Timberwolves on defense could be finding a way to slow down Wembanyama. He made eight of 17 shots from the field, grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots in the win over the Celtics on Saturday.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama continued to improve.
“When he’s under control, he’s so dynamic when he has the ball,” Johnson said. “He can dictate the tempo or the pace of the game. I think sometimes, he just gets a little sped up.
“I know it’s hard to say because it’s him, but any 21-year-old, and he’s been out, not getting to play as much as he wants, so sometimes he’s trying to get right through it. It’s a continued growth opportunity for him.”
