Timberwolves Lead Spurs 1-0 as Edwards Returns off Bench, Wembanyama Tallies 12 Blocks

The Timberwolves hold a 1-0 lead over the Spurs in their Western Conference series after Game 1. Anthony Edwards returned from injury and came off the bench in a limited role. He played 25 minutes and scored 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

Mike Conley drained four three-pointers. Minnesota placed six players in double figures. Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama made NBA history with his first career Defensive Player of the Year award.

The game stayed close with neither team building a double-digit lead. Wembanyama finished with 11 points on 5-of-17 shooting, missing all eight three-point attempts. He grabbed 15 rebounds and recorded 12 blocks.

Rudy Gobert contested Wembanyama effectively with his height. Wembanyama's blocks total is listed at 4.5 for Game 2. He had 17 games with five or more blocks in the regular season, none against Minnesota. In the playoffs, he exceeded 4.5 blocks in three of five games.

Edwards faces a 21.5 points prop for Game 2. Expectations call for Minnesota to play more cautiously after taking Game 1, with Edwards likely seeing limited minutes again.