Timberwolves confront San Antonio in critical conference clash
- Donte DiVincenzo led the Timberwolves with 26 points while Rudy Gobert contributed 17 points and 15 rebounds.
- The Timberwolves overcame their poor shooting performance from beyond the arc to secure a narrow win.
- This victory marked their third consecutive win and set them up for a strong upcoming matchup against the Thunder.
On December 29, 2024, the Minnesota Timberwolves managed a close victory against the San Antonio Spurs, winning 112-110 in Minneapolis. Donte DiVincenzo emerged as the standout player, scoring 26 points. The Timberwolves were bolstered by Rudy Gobert, who contributed with 17 points and 15 rebounds, marking a crucial part of the team's strategies as they extended their winning streak to three games. Despite Anthony Edwards being largely held to 14 points, his season average dropped significantly after he was fined earlier that day for postgame comments. The Spurs also had notable performances, with Victor Wembanyama leading with 34 points and further support from Harrison Barnes and Devin Vassell, who added 24 and 22 points, respectively. Chris Paul facilitated the offense, dishing out 14 assists. The game was marked by turnovers and missed opportunities, particularly from the three-point range, where the Timberwolves struggled to find consistency. In the first game between these two teams this season, the Timberwolves experienced a physically demanding match, demonstrating both their resilience and their need to improve shooting efficiency. Despite advancing early in the match, they had to weather a strong challenge from the Spurs, especially during the third quarter when San Antonio rallied for a short-lived lead. A significant moment in the game was when Julius Randle’s driving layup was initially called an offensive foul; the Timberwolves effectively challenged this call, leading to a reversal that allowed them to maintain the upper hand heading into the final minutes. The Timberwolves' court was temporarily out of commission just hours before the game, prompting a delay in the start time to ensure safety and proper conditions. This resulted in a one-hour pushback, allowing arena staff to address the issue with a replacement court, a rare but necessary measure. Looking forward, the Timberwolves are set to visit Oklahoma City, hoping to continue their winning streak, while the Spurs return home to host the Clippers, looking to regain their form after this narrow loss.