The San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs seized control of their Western Conference second-round matchup with the Minnesota TimberwolvesTeam·Minnesota Timberwolves, stealing Game 3 on the road with a 115-108 victory at Target CenterVenue·Target Center on Friday night. The win gives the second-seeded Spurs a 2-1 series lead and puts them one win away from advancing to the conference finals.
San Antonio's offensive efficiency proved decisive in a defensive grind. The Spurs shot with precision throughout the contest, establishing early momentum and maintaining their edge despite Minnesota's spirited home-court effort. The Timberwolves, the sixth seed, mounted pressure in stretches but could not overcome San Antonio's depth and half-court execution.
The Spurs' defense was particularly suffocating through three quarters, holding Minnesota to limited scoring opportunities. San Antonio's versatility on that end—switching assignments and contesting three-pointers—neutralized much of what made the Timberwolves dangerous in their first-round upset over Denver.
Minnesota's path forward narrows considerably. The Timberwolves entered Game 3 needing to protect home court and force a return trip to San Antonio, but the loss leaves them facing elimination in Game 4. The absence of Donte DiVincenzo, sidelined for the season, has compounded Minnesota's offensive spacing issues, forcing heavier reliance on role players to generate secondary scoring alongside their star contributors.
The Spurs' road success reflects their regular-season dominance—they finished 62-20 and have shown the ability to execute in hostile environments. San Antonio's balanced attack and ball movement have been hallmarks of their playoff run, and Friday's performance underscored why they are among the conference's elite teams.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, with the Timberwolves facing a must-win scenario to extend the series. The Spurs, meanwhile, can clinch their conference finals berth with another victory.
Victor Wembanyama (World Team) and Anthony Edwards (USA Stars) in action during the 2026 NBA All-Star game. Anadolu Agency/IMAGO
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