Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards made a candid admission following his team’s recent matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. According to Edwards, the game became more challenging for his side once Spurs center Victor Wembanyama left the floor.
“When he’s out there, you know he’s going to block shots, but when he’s gone, their whole team starts playing looser and faster,” Edwards explained. “That actually makes it harder for us to defend.”
Despite the increased difficulty, Edwards acknowledged the obvious benefit of Wembanyama’s absence. “He’s eight feet tall, so yeah, he clogs up the rim. Without him, the basket opens up a lot more.”
Wembanyama’s towering presence typically acts as a defensive anchor for San Antonio, altering shots and deterring drives. In his absence, the Spurs lost that interior deterrent, but they compensated by accelerating their offensive tempo. The Timberwolves, however, capitalized on the shift, finding easier scoring opportunities near the basket during the latter stages of the contest.
The turning point of the game came when the Spurs’ defensive linchpin exited, forcing both teams to adjust on the fly. Minnesota adapted by attacking the paint more aggressively, while San Antonio leaned into a faster-paced style—a change that Edwards noted caught the Timberwolves off guard initially.
“They started moving the ball quicker, running more off screens, and everyone looked more confident,” Edwards said. “So yeah, even without their big guy, it wasn’t easy.”
The series between the Timberwolves and Spurs remains tightly contested, with each game presenting new tactical wrinkles. Edwards’ comments highlight the nuanced challenge of facing a versatile Spurs squad, with or without their star center on the court.
