Pegged at two games apiece with the San Antonio Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves are focused on regaining the lead in this second-round series.
The Timberwolves battled a win in Game 1 on the road, but the Spurs flipped the series to lead, only for Minnesota to tie it on Sunday.
Victor Wembanyama’s ejection was the main talking point of Game 4.
The Spurs center was assessed a Flagrant 2 for elbowing Naz Reid early in the second quarter. Without the French superstar, the Timberwolves led by a 36-point performance from Anthony Edwards put on a shift to win.
With Game 5 slated for tonight in San Antonio, all eyes are on whether Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch sticks with the lineup that helped even the score on Sunday.
Minnesota Timberwolves Roll Out Starting Five
Finch has been forced to make some major tweaks this postseason, mainly due to injuries.
Edwards dealt with nagging knee issues in the first round and was ultimately injured in Game 4. He missed Games 5 and 6 of that round. Fortunately, the 24-year-old guard has played all four games of the second round.
GettyMinnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is playing at less than 100%, says an insider.
Donte DiVincenzo, however, is another starter that won’t be available for selection. He ruptured his right Achilles tendon also in Game 4 of the first round. He will miss the entire postseason as well as a huge chunk of next season as well.
Minnesota will deploy the same lineup that took them over the line on Sunday. Edwards will headline the team followed by a supporting cast of Ayo Dosunmu, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert.
This has been the team Finch has trusted down the stretch. However, on Sunday was the first time all five players started together in this series.
Dosunmu, who was one of the standouts from the first round, missed Game 1 and appeared from the bench in Games 2 and 3. Edwards started from the bench in Game 1.
Randle, McDaniels and Gobert have been the only consistent starting trio for Minnesota this postseason. Finch will most likely monitor minutes closely on the road, where the Spurs will regain home-court energy and feature Wembanyama looking for redemption after that Game 4 ejection.
Minnesota Eyes Playoff Feat
GettySAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 04: Terrence Shannon Jr. #1 and Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 04, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Minnesota has a realistic shot at reaching the conference finals for the third year running. A win tonight would put it one victory away from that goal.
The franchise is building on past playoff momentum despite entering the playoffs as the lowest automatic playoff seed.
The Spurs are back on their home court and will have Wembanyama in the lineup. He had a 39-point game in Game 3 and his absence in the majority of Sunday’s game played a huge part in the Timberwolves victory.
However, San Antonio will be wary of the playoff prowess Minnesota possesses. The Denver Nuggets felt that in round one.
The Timberwolves’ defensive identity has been key to their playoff run so far and it positions them to compete if they can replicate Sunday’s execution and limit second-chance opportunities from San Antonio.
Game 5 at Frost Bank Center tips off at 7:00 p.m.
Timberwolves Announce Starting Lineup Decision Before Game 5 vs. Spurs