Edwards returns and Timberwolves overcome big game by Wembanyama to beat Spurs 104-102 in Game 1

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 18 points in his unexpected return from injury and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a huge game by Victor Wembanyama and held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday night.

Edwards was expected to miss at least the first two games of the series after suffering a bone bruise and hyperextending his left knee on April 25 during Game 4 of Minnesota’s opening-round series against Denver. But he had 11 points in the fourth quarter as Minnesota held on to hand San Antonio only its second loss in its last 17 series openers at home.

“Nobody expected him to play,” Timberwolves veteran Mike Conley said. “It was just his level of commitment to the game. Not just to the game, but to his teammates. It showed a lot.”

Wembanyama had 11 points and 15 rebounds and set an NBA postseason record with 12 blocks. He's the third player to get a triple-double in the playoffs including blocks since the league began tracking blocks in 1973-74.

San Antonio cut the deficit to 104-102 on a steal by Devin Vassell and layup by Dylan Harper with 31 seconds remaining. Following a miss by Minnesota's Julius Randle, Julian Champagnie couldn't connect on a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“We have to be better,” Wembanyama said. “It shows up on the stat sheet. We need to figure out before 48 hours what we can do better and I’ve got no doubt that we will. I trust us.”

Randle finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Harper scored 18 points and Champagnie and Stephon Castle had 17 each for the Spurs.

Edwards worked diligently to return for Minnesota with guards Donte DiVincenzo (torn right Achilles tendon) and Ayo Dosunmu (right calf soreness) out with injuries.

“I know for a fact, just me being out there, it calms everybody down," Edwards said. “Not saying there’s any pressure on any of my teammates, but it takes pressure off of everybody just knowing that I’m out there, I’m available to play, yeah. And just doing what I do best, just trying to put the ball in the hoop.”

After draining a stepback 3-pointer early in the game, Edwards looked toward the Spurs bench and screamed: “I’m back! I’m back!”

He definitely was.

Edwards did not start, entering the game with 6:53 remaining in the first quarter and the Timberwolves trailing 11-8. He finished 8 for 13 in 25 minutes.

Game 2 is Wednesday in San Antonio.

Wembanyama had seven blocks in the first half. The NBA Defensive Player of the Year opened the game by blocking a pair of driving layups from Terrence Shannon Jr. on consecutive possessions. Two minutes later, he blocked Gobert’s driving layup just under the rim.

Wembanyama finished 5 for 17 from the field.

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) loses control of the ball as San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) defends during the first half in Game 1 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1), front, handles the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2), middle, and forward-center Victor Wembanyama (1), back, defend during the second half in Game 1 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half in Game 1 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reaches for the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) defends during the second half in Game 1 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) handles the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) defends during the first half in Game 1 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Giants called up top prospect Bryce Eldridge on Monday to try to help boost their sputtering offense.

Eldridge went 0 for 2 with a walk while batting seventh as the designated hitter in the Giants' 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres.

After going 0-6 at Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, San Francisco failed to hit a home run on a road trip of six games or more for the first time since 2008. The Giants are hoping Eldridge will provide a spark that has been missing all season.

Eldridge didn't homer against the Padres, but the Giants finally got a longball — by Casey Schmitt in the first inning.

This is Eldridge’s second stint in the majors. He hit .107 (3 for 28) and had four RBIs in 10 games with San Francisco last year, and struck out 13 times and had seven walks. The 21-year-old first baseman/DH was hitting .333 with five homers and 22 RBIs with a .518 slugging percentage and .963 OPS in 30 games for Triple-A Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League.

Eldridge was the 16th overall pick by the Giants in the 2023 amateur draft out of James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia.

The Giants entered Monday with a .243 team batting average, with the struggles coming throughout the lineup. Second baseman Luis Arraez and Schmitt had identical .308 averages, but were the only players on the roster batting above .300. Schmitt is also the only Giants player with more than three home runs.

Key veterans such as first baseman Rafael Devers (.214, 43 strikeouts), shortstop Willy Adames (.195), third baseman Matt Chapman (.246, one home run) and catcher Patrick Bailey (.152, one home run) have not played up to expectations.

The Giants also called up pitcher Trevor McDonald and catcher Jesús Rodriguez from Sacramento. To make room, outfielder Jerar Encarnacion was designated for assignment, reliever Erik Miller (back strain) was placed on the 15-day injury list and outfielder Will Brennan was optioned to Sacramento.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

San Francisco Giants' Bryce Eldridge breaks his bat during an at-bat against the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 4, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco Giants’ Bryce Eldridge (8) shatters his bat in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Monday, May 4, 2026.(Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)