Even Without Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Could Take the Spurs

The No. 2 San Antonio Spurs and No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves are heading to the second round of the NBA playoffs, and they’ll duke it out in the conference semifinals.

Ahead of the conference semifinals, plenty of predictions are dropped, and we have out own hot take, too.

In a piece out on Monday, May 4 for USA Today, Lorenzo Reyes gives his projections for the second round matchups. “It took three Game 7s and three series that ended in six,” he notes, “but the first round of the NBA playoffs have wrapped up, which means the conference semifinals are already upon us.”

No Anthony Edwards? No problem, because Reyes has them still taking the series. But, he sees this one going to Game 7, albeit that is with the hope that Edwards will return at least late in the series.

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“This might be the toughest series to project, simply because it’s unclear how much Anthony Edwards will be available with his left knee bone bruise,” he states in the piece. “The Timberwolves did announce that Edwards was cleared for on-court basketball activities, so the news is positive on that front.”

He adds that if Edwards can’t play, “it will be tough sledding for Minnesota, even though its defense was exceptional against the Nuggets and even though role players like Jaden McDaniels stepped up in a big way.”

But, in the end, he sees the team taking it, even with Edwards possibly gone for most of the series.

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What It Means: Timberwolves vs. Spurs

My thoughts: Without Edwards, it’s hard for me to see the Timberwolves topping the Spurs, but strangers things have happened. Minnesota is coming in at No. 6, and that was largely with Edwards.

With our without Edwards, Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs and Rudy Gobert of the Timberwolves are going to be the guys to watch. Gobert helped the Timberwolves beat the Nuggets and Nikola Jokić, and he’ll be on Wembanyama all game. This one is divided for me, because these teams are fairly evenly matched, and it’s worth noting that Minnesota is experienced and has made consecutive conference finals slots.

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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 9:21 AM.