Game Thread Playoffs Round 2, Game 1: Spurs vs Timberwolves (0-0) (Mon 05/04/2026) [8:30 CDT]

[Spurminator]

I still think the Spurs win the series, but I actually think there is a lot of fair criticism to go around tonight. I haven't bothered with Fox because it just seems like low hanging fruit that all the Fox haters are already salivating at, but Keldon's decision making, Castle's decision making, Wemby's decision making, and Mitch's decision making were all pretty shit tonight.

Also I didn't pay attention to much of the talk prior to this series but is Carter Bryant legit hurt because if not WHY THE FUCK IS THAT MAN IN STREET CLOTHES?!?!?!?!

There's just a lot to be annoyed with after the game tonight.

Criticism is different than throwing your hands up and ceding the series after one game of a 7 game series.. Plenty of fair criticism to go around, it's just funny to me that Spurs fans who have been through so many long playoff runs and so many losses on the way to championships are ready to give up after a game 1 loss, as though they remember 2005 for example being a 16-0 run.

I don't remember who it was (nor do I care) but I definitely remember several posters were ready to call the first series 4 to 1 blazers after game 2. Probably some of those same guys are in here declaring a series win for Minnesota. Which is their right to do. Because none of this matters.

Anything can happen, but I think we definitely saw a wide enough gap in execution versus potential in this game to expect any return to the mean would benefit San Antonio. So I'm not worried overall. And if we lose to a WC finalist from the past two years in our first year of contention, I'm pretty Zen about that as well.

 

[LeBowen]

One last thing, hats off to the Minnesota timberwolves, they are battled tested, and make some of us humbled a little bit. I don't expect a sweep either way, but they aren't scared of us one bit

I'll still say that much like the Blazers G2, it was more of a case of Spurs killing themselves rather than being outplayed.
We were up I think 7, McDaniels scored off an offensive rebound and then Fox threw that idiotic pass into front court right after an inbound which got intercepted.
Lost the lead shortly after and never got it back.

 

[MannyIG]

He literally made that same exact side step 3 ball against Camara in game 5 last series btw fwiw

FWIW being the key phrase here, because its not worth much. I think it was LeBowen who posted stats for Champ on step backs and they aren't great. They're not atrocious, but definitely not the same as Champ catching and shooting. Step back + dribble for Champ just makes it a below average shot even when not considering the context of it being a buzzer beater.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

I've lost plenty of arguments in my life. I've never lost an argument to someone who's defense of their postion is "most people say", though. Just make a well reasoned argument instead of moving the goalposts or relying on bullshit. But if you'd rather rely on bullshit and get tired of losing arguments when you do that, then by all means, hit ignore.

You’ve been arguing with like nine people in the thread about the same topic and just telling everybody they are wrong.

And just getting nasty and more aggressive as you go

Spurstalk is gone. And you might not last long.

 

[tearsofmorningdew]

What's happened with Kornet that he's badly lately?

Harrison falling off in the second half of the season with no real quality PF on the roster was always gonna hurt, IMO. Wish we would've swung a trade for someone serviceable instead of loading up on unplayable centers.

Anyway, they gotta not let Minnesota ugly up the game, play faster and actually play someone with size (not Wemby) on Randle.

Note: Minnesota was getting away with a lot of clear outs (on Wemby) to get drivers a free lane. Spurs are gonna need to figure out how to counter that or play more zone defense.

Messed up his wrist near the end of the regular season

 

[KDKSpurs24]

He does hate him. He's called him out all year. The hate is there much like Shaq had hate for Robinson and Duncan until his career was over and then let it go. It is what it is.

No he doesn’t. He’s always giving Wemby credit. He was the main one even in the All Star game saying how Wemby set the tone and they all followed (himself included)

 

[MannyIG]

Criticism is different than throwing your hands up and ceding the series after one game of a 7 game series.. Plenty of fair criticism to go around, it's just funny to me that Spurs fans who have been through so many long playoff runs and so many losses on the way to championships are ready to give up after a game 1 loss, as though they remember 2005 for example being a 16-0 run.

I don't remember who it was (nor do I care) but I definitely remember several posters were ready to call the first series 4 to 1 blazers after game 2. Probably some of those same guys are in here declaring a series win for Minnesota. Which is their right to do. Because none of this matters.

Anything can happen, but I think we definitely saw a wide enough gap in execution versus potential in this game to expect any return to the mean would benefit San Antonio. So I'm not worried overall. And if we lose to a WC finalist from the past two years in our first year of contention, I'm pretty Zen about that as well.

Oh I assume most of the doomers here are young newer fans. Those of us who saw some shit in the prior era know better, lol.

 

[John B]

I’d take it as 2nd round jitters. It took Champ the 5th game to be shooting without care in the world, just send it. Spurs will bounce big in game 2 and hopefully carry the energy to game 3 and so on. They need to hit the ground running, score in 120+. Wemby must be alluding to playing “too much” defense, slowing it to T-Pups tempo. They need to run it.. they have the best 3-guard rotation.. and keep attacking the rim

 

[Kick-Stand]

The reason is that Wemby wants to be Steph Curry/Durant. He wants to play like a guard. He knows he can hit that shot and WANTS to hit that shot. This has been his fall back so often in his career. Its honestly the one major criticism I've had of him is that he takes way too many 3s off the dribble.

The good thing is I know he's smart enough to adjust and I'm sure he'll look the film and stats and see that when he took it the hole we benefited.

If he looks at the film he'll see taking it off the dribble lead to three turnovers and a jump ball. I really hate it when he thinks he's 7'6" Durant and that he has the handles to do what KD does. He's so unstoppable in the high post where he needs at most one dribble to get to the rim and where he can collapse defenses without having put the ball on the floor yet.

 

[LeBowen]

Criticism is different than throwing your hands up and ceding the series after one game of a 7 game series.. Plenty of fair criticism to go around, it's just funny to me that Spurs fans who have been through so many long playoff runs and so many losses on the way to championships are ready to give up after a game 1 loss, as though they remember 2005 for example being a 16-0 run.

I'd say that the biggest difference is that back then we knew that our guys would step up when it mattered because they've seen it all before.
Now? I can't speak for others, but I've got no confidence in Mitch and his generic both coaching and press conference.
Finch just stole home court advantage and is already talking about how some of Wemby's blocks were goaltending and that they'd like those points back.

It doesn't even matter if those shots were goaltending, he knows what he's doing by putting pressure on the refs.
Did Mitch ever talk about Wemby being held on most players and rarely getting fouls?

FWIW being the key phrase here, because its not worth much. I think it was LeBowen who posted stats for Champ on step backs and they aren't great. They're not atrocious, but definitely not the same as Champ catching and shooting. Step back + dribble for Champ just makes it a below average shot even when not considering the context of it being a buzzer beater.

33% on stepbacks isn't that bad, but it's only 3-9 in 82 regular season games.
Not his game.
I'd rather have someone who's at 25% on 100 attempts than someone who barely takes those shots.

 

[Arguendo]

Wemby mentioned something about putting too much energy on “something” that didn’t help the team in winning and kept him from scoring more… balance between offense and defense

I think he was talking about playing frantically on O. He said that energy didn't help his team, like he realized he was out of control on O. I think the D performance got him so hyped he couldn't control his O. Zen on D, chaos on O. At least that's how I understand him.

 

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Vegas has us as -9.5 favorites for game 2. Could see it drop to -5.5 by tip off but let’s see. Gsme 2 will feel like a game 7.

 

[Spurminator]

You’ve been arguing with like nine people in the thread about the same topic and just telling everybody they are wrong.

And just getting nasty and more aggressive as you go

Spurstalk is gone. And you might not last long.

But he's been right though.

 

[Wemby_Island]

I know its the best shot and Mitch sucks OTO plays,

But the way play ended, every one thought its going to be a time out. Thats when you need to call a TO no matter what as a coach.

 

[MannyIG]

You’ve been arguing with like nine people in the thread about the same topic and just telling everybody they are wrong.

And just getting nasty and more aggressive as you go

Spurstalk is gone. And you might not last long.

I mean you are welcome to report any of my posts you feel somehow cross the line here. LOL. Dude you should ignore me, I didn't realize pointing out how weak your argument was qualifeid as nasty and more aggressive. I think I'm gonna last just fine here until I become homophobic, racist, or something simliar, but like I said, report away. Or just hit the ignore button.

But I want you to rember that "most people agree" is and always will be a stupid argument for those that don't know how to make a resonable case but instead rely on others to tell them what is good or bad about something. OOPS SORRY SO NASTY AND AGGRESSIVE!

 

[Dbreiden83080]

But he's been right though.

 

[Trifecta]

Fox should've been benched. Dude was brutal until Steph got that BS foul on Randle.

While the refs can be trash, Steph reached in unnecessarily while Wemby was standing right there!!!! Frustrating play.

 

[tearsofmorningdew]

I'd say that the biggest difference is that back then we knew that our guys would step up when it mattered because they've seen it all before.
Now? I can't speak for others, but I've got no confidence in Mitch and his generic both coaching and press conference.
Finch just stole home court advantage and is already talking about how some of Wemby's blocks were goaltending and that they'd like those points back.

It doesn't even matter if those shots were goaltending, he knows what he's doing by putting pressure on the refs.
Did Mitch ever talk about Wemby being held on most players and rarely getting fouls?


33% on stepbacks isn't that bad, but it's only 3-9 in 82 regular season games.
Not his game.
I'd rather have someone who's at 25% on 100 attempts than someone who barely takes those shots.

Yup the lobbying has begun. We aren’t getting anything close to this type of defensive impact the rest of the series so enjoy it in a big fat L lmao

 

[Arguendo]

One thing I love about this forum is people disagree and there’s civilized debate for the most part. It’s very healthy and gives you a different perspective on all things Spurs. Of course there’s some idiot takes, but it’s mostly trolls. I was on Spurstalk from the beginning, but hardly ever posted. It is so refreshing to see 95% of this group cheering for the Spurs, Whether we agree on tactics or not. Let’s have them faith. LFG Spurs.

100. I lurked on ST since 2005ish, rarely ever posted. Too much bullshit, not enough sports debate.
This place rocks.

 

[MannyIG]

If he looks at the film he'll see taking it off the dribble lead to three turnovers and a jump ball. I really hate it when he thinks he's 7'6" Durant and that he has the handles to do what KD does. He's so unstoppable in the high post where he needs at most one dribble to get to the rim and where he can collapse defenses without having put the ball on the floor yet.

Yeah exactly. I don't' even mind him facing up and driving from the 3 point line against Gobert. That worked well the few times he did it tonight. He can do that to a lot of Wolves players, honestly. And if they want to save his legs for defense then thats fine too, but the other players have to make better decisions with how they initiate offense too!

 

[Dbreiden83080]

Vegas has us as -9.5 favorites for game 2. Could see it drop to -5.5 by tip off but let’s see. Gsme 2 will feel like a game 7.

Spurs will come out with the proper energy and get it done. We will see if Minnesota comes in somewhat satisfied

 

[Spurminator]

I'd say that the biggest difference is that back then we knew that our guys would step up when it mattered because they've seen it all before.
Now? I can't speak for others, but I've got no confidence in Mitch and his generic both coaching and press conference.
Finch just stole home court advantage and is already talking about how some of Wemby's blocks were goaltending and that they'd like those points back.

Where did you think this team would be before the season?

 

[Robz4000]

Vegas has us as -9.5 favorites for game 2. Could see it drop to -5.5 by tip off but let’s see. Gsme 2 will feel like a game 7.

Spurs either win game 2 comfortably or lose a close one tbh.

 

[MannyIG]

Nasty and aggressive truth hurts

 

[J_Posse301]

Messed up his wrist near the end of the regular season

Thanks for the info.

I've been rooting for the team but a little detached since I work at night.

Has Harrison just looked bad post all-star break or all season long? We really needed him to remain serviceable at least until the end of this season.

To be fair, we also weren't thinking we we title contenders in August and September either. The expectations have gone way up and he's been a disappointment.