Edwards Powers Timberwolves Past Spurs in Emotional Game 4 Win

Summary:

• Game 4 on Sunday ended with a victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves over the San Antonio Spurs on
• The 114-109 win tied their second-round playoff series at two games apiece.
• Anthony Edwards scored 36 points and dedicated his performance to his late mother on Mother’s Day.

Anthony Edwards marked one of the most meaningful performances of his NBA career on Sunday night, when he managed to score 36 points to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 114-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4.

The victory was all the Timberwolves needed to tie their second-round playoff series at two games apiece. Edwards, however, chose to shift the attention away from basketball when asked about his performance, reflecting on his late mother instead.

Sunday was Mother’s Day, and he made it clear who was on his mind throughout the game.

“I just wanted to win for my Mom. It was that simple” he said quietly, cutting off the opening question during his postgame media session.

Edwards’ mother, Yvette Edwards, passed away 11 years ago after an unforgiving battle with cancer, followed by the player’s grandmother just a few months later.

Since then, he has often spoken about their influence on his life, even choosing to wear number 5 in tribute to both of them.

The Timberwolves needed every bit of Edwards’ brilliance, as the game changed dramatically following an event in the second quarter, when Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected after a flagrant foul on Naz Reid.

The ruling came after an on-court review showed an elbow to the face during a rebound battle, immediately changing the tone of the contest.

Before his exit, Wembanyama had already been a major defensive presence in the series, but Minnesota found new life once he left the floor. The Timberwolves attacked the rim far more aggressively, something Edwards acknowledged after the game.

Everybody knows the rim is going to be a lot more open when he’s not on the floor. He covers everything when he’s out there.

Still, San Antonio didn’t put down its weapons, as Young guards Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle kept the Spurs in front late into the third quarter, and De’Aaron Fox helped stretch the lead to eight early in the fourth.

However, Minnesota closed the game with control, outscoring the Spurs 34-25 in the final period.

Anthony Edwards took over when it mattered most, scoring 16 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and playing all 12 minutes. His final basket came with just over two minutes left, a driving finger roll that sealed the momentum for Minnesota.

Now, with the series tied, Game 5 shifts back to San Antonio where both teams will look to gain control in what has become a tightly contested matchup.