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

[siraulo22]

i expect this team to bounce back in game 2

but its not a given, they're gonna have to earn it vs this twolves team

i wouldnt be shocked either way, but obviously hoping they deliver and show that they're ready for this

 

[OK Computer]

The Spurs did beat themselves but saying we don't need frontcourt help is far out there. Randle is a big, he had 21 and 10 rebs. Reid is a big. He had 9 rebs and blocked 2 or 3 shots against our smaller guys because of his length. We absolutely need frontcourt help. When Wemby's out, their team went straight to the paint to score.

Randle is going to score because he’s their top option and has one of the best, diverse skillsets on offense. Those 20 pts were not efficient. Reid’s 9 pts is below his season average. These guys did not perform above their average. What does Reid blocking smaller guys have to do with anything - are you suggesting not to play any guards on offense? That happens throughout the game. He blocks shots like Wemby blocks shots.

No one is going to be as good at defending the paint as Wemby, of course there will be a drop off. If there’s anyone to blame for poor interior defense, it’s Kornet.

 

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Finch running circles around Mitch will be a problem

 

[OK Computer]

Conley and Shannon were both the heroes for the Twolves last night. Better team execution on defense probably would have limited them more. That has nothing to do with size. In fact, having more size probably would have made it harder to chase either of these two.

The other hero was one legged- Anthony Edwards. Nobody is stopping Ant on offense - healthy or not healthy. You only counter that with your offense coming from your own stars. We failed that last night with Fox and even Wemby.

 

[kxs783]

Randle is going to score because he’s their top option and has one of the best, diverse skillsets on offense. Those 20 pts were not efficient. Reid’s 9 pts is below his season average. These guys did not perform above their average. What does Reid blocking smaller guys have to do with anything - are you suggesting not to play any guards on offense? That happens throughout the game. He blocks shots like Wemby blocks shots.

No one is going to be as good at defending the paint as Wemby, of course there will be a drop off. If there’s anyone to blame for poor interior defense, it’s Kornet.

Reid had 12pts AND 9 rebs. I'll take that from one of our bigs if we had one. Reid blocking smaller guys shows that he has a presence inside the paint with his length and ability to block shots. That's usually a big man trait, that's what that means. He did that with one on one defense, not weak side help. What big besides Wemby do we have that does that? And you saying Kornet has poor interior defense proves the point that we need frontcourt help.

Edit: It shows Reid only had 1 block but I could've sworn he had 2 alone on Keldon.

 

[OK Computer]

Reid had 12pts AND 9 rebs. I'll take that from one of our bigs if we had one. Reid blocking smaller guys shows that he has a presence inside the paint with his length and ability to block shots. That's usually a big man trait, that's what that means. He did that with one on one defense, not weak side help. What big besides Wemby do we have that does that? And you saying Kornet has poor interior defense proves the point that we need frontcourt help.

If we’re concerned about things that are the natural flow of a basketball game and has less impact on the loss than the other more obvious weaknesses of last night’s game, be my guest. Champagnie had 17 pts and 7 rebounds if we want to play the counting stats game.

The Spurs were not outrebounded by the Twolves as a whole - which should be all that matters instead of individual stats that you focus on. Yes, Wemby is a big part of that - it’s our scheme and I don’t get the attempts to remove him out of the equation.

 

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Stop the big talk. Our 7'5 alien was content to brick away from deep. No additional big was solving that for him.

Our all star 50 million PG played like a beta cuck. No big would solve that.

Our strategy and prep was non existent and our offense looked like summer league hero iso retard ball. No big would solve that. That's on our dipshit sycophantic coaching hire.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

That’s the thing. We’re only going to be able to have this kind of depth when Wemby/castle/harper are on rookie contracts. I feel like not enough people understand this.

Well, you can’t have everything in this life

It has to be a true big 3 and they have to kick some serious ass. CB also needs to develop into somebody consistent for us. Right now he’s really just an elite athlete.

 

[kxs783]

If we’re concerned about things that are the natural flow of a basketball game and has less impact on the loss than the other more obvious weaknesses of last night’s game, be my guest. Champagnie had 17 pts and 7 rebounds if we want to play the counting stats game.

The Spurs were not outrebounded by the Twolves as a whole - which should be all that matters instead of individual stats that you focus on. Yes, Wemby is a big part of that - it’s our scheme and I don’t get the attempts to remove him out of the equation.

Ok, I'm fine with agreeing to disagree on this matter.

 

[kxs783]

Not having a big to throw the ball to in the paint to get a bucket like Reid/Randle, can be a big advantage for us when the shots aren't falling like tonight. Wemby isn't there yet and not sure he'll ever play that style. I'm hoping that's our main focus this off-season. Or at least someone who can guard those types. When you look at it, every team left in the playoffs have back to the basket post players who can score except us.

 

[100%Duncan]

I just smashed my TV in front of 30 guests at my party because of the game. My wife just took our crying kids and said they’re all spending the week at a hotel. This team has ruined my life and my party. I can’t handle this anymore. Goodbye Spurs. I am no longer a fan.

What pasta is this

 

[eric365]

If we go out in the second round we're not close to winning a chip. We'd need to get some new players in the offseason

Wemby, Castle and Harper should improve every year in the next 2 or 3 years.
Especially Wemby while he add some muscles every year

Spurs were not even expected to be a top 6 team in the West at the start of the season and we were already projecting to be in contention by 2027.
And now that they achieved so much, we are not close?

 

[amans]

Not having a big to throw the ball to in the paint to get a bucket like Reid/Randle, can be a big advantage for us when the shots aren't falling like tonight. Wemby isn't there yet and not sure he'll ever play that style. I'm hoping that's our main focus this off-season. Or at least someone who can guard those types. When you look at it, every team left in the playoffs have back to the basket post players who can score except us.

We don't need anyone new to do this, we need Wemby to learn to post up way more often and learn to get decent midrange/paint shots for himself.

 

[Spurs Homer]

Where all the "spurs sweep!" and "spurs bringing the brooms!" brave posters at?

The better team will win in a 7 game series...the spurs went to portland and took care of business - and they have to continue to stay the course and the spurs are the better team and even with a bad offensive game were thisclose and had that champagnie shot fallen they would be repairing the frost bank center right now from last nights pandemonium...

 

[100%Duncan]

Where all the "spurs sweep!" and "spurs bringing the brooms!" brave posters at?

The better team will win in a 7 game series...the spurs went to portland and took care of business - and they have to continue to stay the course and the spurs are the better team and even with a bad offensive game were thisclose and had that champagnie shot fallen they would be repairing the frost bank center right now from last nights pandemonium...

Im here. Called Spurs in 4/5 for both Portland and Minny series.

There should be no excuse losing to a hobbled Minnesota team tbqh.

 

[spursparker9]

Where all the "spurs sweep!" and "spurs bringing the brooms!" brave posters at?

The better team will win in a 7 game series...the spurs went to portland and took care of business - and they have to continue to stay the course and the spurs are the better team and even with a bad offensive game were thisclose and had that champagnie shot fallen they would be repairing the frost bank center right now from last nights pandemonium...

I called for Spurs sweeping

Didn't expect Ant to return in game 1 and Max player Fox to probably played his worst game as a Spur and Castle to continue his foul trouble (I guess this will continue throughout the remaining playoffs). Korndog is unplayable for this series as well.

I thought it would be a dog-fight all the way but we should be able to sweep if there is no Nuke Weapon (Ant) against us.

I think Tpups are the worst matchup for us. They are just too big and lengthy and nobody can slow an injured Ant. I think we can slow SGA better than Ant.

Game 1 was really tough and physical. I am not sure if Vic came out healthy after the game tbh. He has a bad looking fall after a block which he landed on his butt (sitting down position), and he also rolled his ankle on the offensive end in the 4Q, although he continued to play. Tpup is totally disregarding the "Hell No" effect from Vic and their plan is to just go at him to wear him down or get him into foul trouble.

Sometime the rolled ankle's sprain will only start to appear the next morning after your adrenaline stopped.

 

[LeBowen]

 

[Manu20]

Homer side of me is thinking that last night T Pups played a nearly flawless game and barely inked out a win, Wemby and Fox offensively played really poorly and we still almost won the game.

On the flip side Minnys offense started hot in the 4th quarter when Gobert got benched and it seemed to got the Spurs off guard. Also, do you all think it was by design that the T Pups went aggressively to the rim all game? Trying to tired out Vic so he won't have to much energy for the offensive side of the ball?

 

[Wemby_Island]

We miss CB last night.

I think CB might be answer for Julius Randle problem.

When Gobert has the ball, they should have went aggressively to foul him. That’s basic coaching.

 

[spursparker9]

Homer side of me is thinking that last night T Pups played a nearly flawless game and barely inked out a win, Wemby and Fox offensively played really poorly and we still almost won the game.

On the flip side Minnys offense started hot in the 4th quarter when Gobert got benched and it seemed to got the Spurs off guard. Also, do you all think it was by design that the T Pups went aggressively to the rim all game? Trying to tired out Vic so he won't have to much energy for the offensive side of the ball?

I think is definitely by design that they went aggressively to the rim, especially coming off the Denver series.

And replays show that there are some goaltending/fouls by Vic which were credited as block. Finch has sound out to the media and I think there should be more or less some effect going into the next game for the refs to be more cautious on the block/goaltend call on Vic

 

[spursparker9]

We miss CB last night.

I think CB might be answer for Julius Randle problem.

When Gobert has the ball, they should have went aggressively to foul him. That’s basic coaching.

CB's absence is a big issue as we are desperately in need of a big body to guard the size of Tpups....

Korndog seems unplayable for this series.
Barnes can't be expected to get rebounds or defend.
Castle is just continuing his foul trouble every game.

We need another 3&D + shot blocking guy in CB.

 

[ulosturedge]

We miss CB last night.

I think CB might be answer for Julius Randle problem.

When Gobert has the ball, they should have went aggressively to foul him. That’s basic coaching.

I agree, I hope he is healthy going forward. He could have also been a help on defense guarding Ant and Terrance Shannon Jr.

 

[Wemby_Island]

CB's absence is a big issue as we are desperately in need of a big body to guard the size of Tpups....

Korndog seems unplayable for this series.
Barnes can't be expected to get rebounds or defend.
Castle is just continuing his foul trouble every game.

We need another 3&D + shot blocking guy in CB.

Correct. Having CB will take off some pressure on Wemby.

Its too much asking for Wemby at this point on defensive end. He created atleast 10 fast breaks with his 12 blocked shots. Fox chucked 3-4 of them.

Entire team was very reluctant to shoot the shots they usually make. May be rust….

 

[kxs783]

We don't need anyone new to do this, we need Wemby to learn to post up way more often and learn to get decent midrange/paint shots for himself.

But will he though? Wemby came in the league saying he will play his style and no one will put him in a box. A lot of us heard him but we keep pushing it off hoping he'll play the style we want him to play. At some point we have to take his word at face value.

 

[rascal]

Randle is going to score because he’s their top option and has one of the best, diverse skillsets on offense. Those 20 pts were not efficient. Reid’s 9 pts is below his season average. These guys did not perform above their average. What does Reid blocking smaller guys have to do with anything - are you suggesting not to play any guards on offense? That happens throughout the game. He blocks shots like Wemby blocks shots.

No one is going to be as good at defending the paint as Wemby, of course there will be a drop off. If there’s anyone to blame for poor interior defense, it’s Kornet.

There were several times Kornet could not get into defensive position in time to stop layups to the basket.