The Minnesota Timberwolves may have caught another major break at the perfect time.
Just one day after learning that Victor Wembanyama would avoid further suspension following his controversial Game 4 ejection, the Timberwolves received more encouraging news Tuesday when San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper was added to the injury report ahead of pivotal Game 5.
Harper is officially listed as questionable because of left knee soreness.
The development comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding Spurs star De’Aaron Fox, who is also listed as questionable due to left ankle soreness.
With the Western Conference semifinal series tied 2-2, Minnesota suddenly appears to have momentum — and potentially a major health advantage — entering Tuesday night.
Timberwolves Catch Huge Break Ahead of Massive Game 5
Harper’s injury status immediately became one of the biggest storylines surrounding Game 5 after the rookie nearly helped San Antonio steal Game 4 on Sunday night.
The second overall pick erupted for 24 points, seven rebounds and three steals in just 27 minutes during the Spurs’ 114-109 loss at Target Center.
After Wembanyama’s early ejection, Harper aggressively attacked Minnesota’s defense and helped fuel a fourth-quarter push that briefly threatened to silence the home crowd.
Now, however, San Antonio could be entering the biggest game of its season with major questions surrounding both Harper and Fox.
According to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, Harper still participated in Tuesday morning’s shootaround, offering some optimism regarding his availability.
But even limited versions of Harper and Fox could dramatically alter the balance of the series.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Suddenly Seizing Control
Minnesota regained momentum Sunday behind another superstar performance from Anthony Edwards.
Edwards scored 36 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as the Timberwolves rallied late to even the series.
The Wolves also dominated key stretches inside after Wembanyama’s ejection, with Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid controlling the paint during crunch time.
Now, Minnesota suddenly has a chance to fully swing the series in its favor.
Game 5 has historically served as a turning point in NBA playoff battles. Another win would put them on the brink of a third straight Western Conference Finals berth, which would be a first in franchise history.
That reality only magnifies how significant this game is for the Timberwolves and how perilous San Antonio’s injury concerns could become.
Spurs Injury Issues Could Shift Series Toward Timberwolves
Fox has averaged 16.8 points and 4.0 assists during the series while serving as San Antonio’s primary perimeter creator alongside Wembanyama.
Harper, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the Spurs’ biggest postseason surprises, averaging 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists during his rookie playoff run.
Without both guards operating at full strength, the pressure on Wembanyama to carry the offense against Minnesota’s physical defense could become overwhelming.
That could play directly into the Timberwolves’ hands.
Minnesota already appears to have rediscovered its defensive edge and physicality after an uneven start to the series. And with Edwards continuing to elevate his game in big moments, the Wolves suddenly look positioned to seize full control heading back into a pivotal Game 5 at Frost Bank Center.
Timberwolves Get More Good News Ahead of Pivotal Game 5