Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves took care of business on Sunday night after the San Antonio Spurs lost Victor Wembanyama in the first half.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year was ejected in the second quarter after hitting Naz Reid with a nasty elbow to the neck. The referees reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2. This was the first time in Wembanyama’s career that he was ejected from a game.
Edwards spoke to the press after the Wolves secured a 114-109 win to tie the series at 2-2. When asked about Wembanyama’s ejection, the Timberwolves superstar had an unexpected admission.
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“I don’t know, honestly, man, I think it was kind of harder just because, I mean, of course, they’re a really great team when he’s on the floor, but they play a lot slower when he’s on the floor because everything is involved around him,” Edwards told reporters.
“When he’s not on the floor, everybody’s playing. It’s just like when every team is missing their best player — everybody plays free, they get more shots, more confident.
“So I think it was a lot harder, honestly.”
Anthony Edwards said it became “harder on us” without Victor Wembanyama on the floor because pace quickened and rest of team played loose. But rim was far more open to Timberwolves late.
“He’s eight feet tall so, yeah, he gonna cover up the rim.” pic.twitter.com/uwU3LmAdYX— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 11, 2026
Edwards went off in this one. He dropped a game-high 36 points on 13-of-22 shooting, to go along with six rebounds, two assists, a steal and three triples in 40 minutes of action.
It remains to be seen if the NBA will suspend Wembanyama for his actions in Game 5. Edwards and the Timbewrolves will monitor this situation closely and make their adjustments accordingly.
This series now shifts to San Antonio for Game 5. Tipoff from Frost Bank Center is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
Related: Victor Wembanyama Makes Gregg Popovich Admission After Historic Game 3