Minnesota Timberwolves Eliminate the Nuggets Without Anthony Edwards, Set Up Western Semifinals Clash With San Antonio Spurs
The Minnesota Timberwolves have delivered one of the most impressive team efforts of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, eliminating the Denver Nuggets in six games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals — and they did it without their superstar Anthony Edwards for the final stretch of the series. Minnesota will now face the San Antonio Spurs, who eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers in five games, in a second-round matchup that features two of the deepest rosters remaining in the Western Conference.
The Timberwolves’ Remarkable Run Without Edwards
Edwards, Minnesota’s star guard who had been one of the most electric performers of the entire 2025-26 season, suffered a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise during Game 4 of the series. His absence represented a massive blow to Minnesota’s championship aspirations, yet the Timberwolves refused to let it define their postseason. Role players stepped up, defensive intensity never wavered, and the team’s collective identity carried them through.
Jaden McDaniels was the standout performer of Minnesota’s advancement, backing up every bold statement he made publicly with dominant two-way play. McDaniels’ defense on Nikola Jokic was elite throughout the series, and his offensive contributions — especially in the crucial late games — provided exactly the production Minnesota needed without Edwards in the lineup. His rise during this playoff run signals the emergence of a genuine secondary star for the Timberwolves franchise.
Ending Denver’s Dynasty Run
The Nuggets, who had made the postseason for eight consecutive seasons and featured one of the most dominant individual players in league history in Nikola Jokic, bow out in the first round. Denver’s trip to the second round had become an annual expectation given Jokic’s consistent brilliance, but Minnesota’s defensive scheme specifically limited his ability to create easy shots and open opportunities for teammates. This marks the second time in three seasons that the Timberwolves have ended the Nuggets’ season — a rivalry dynamic that has clearly shifted in Minnesota’s favor.
Jokic finished the series with excellent individual numbers, but without sufficient supporting cast performances in the decisive games, it was not enough to overcome a Timberwolves team playing with remarkable cohesion and purpose.
Spurs Series Preview: Wembanyama Health Concern
The Western Semifinals matchup against San Antonio comes with a significant injury cloud. Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ 22-year-old superstar who has been one of the most captivating players in the NBA this season, was placed in concussion protocol after a fall during the Trail Blazers series. His availability for the opening games of the Minnesota series is uncertain, and the Spurs’ ability to compete at a high level depends enormously on whether the French phenom can return quickly.
If Wembanyama is healthy, San Antonio is a legitimate threat to push Minnesota to the limit. The Spurs’ combination of their franchise cornerstone’s defensive versatility and shot-blocking with a supporting cast that includes capable scorers and defenders makes them a dangerous second-round opponent regardless of the circumstances.
For Minnesota, the arrival of this matchup — as the 6th seed making the Conference Semifinals for the second consecutive season — represents another landmark achievement for a franchise that has been building toward sustained postseason success. The Timberwolves are proving that their run to the Western Conference Finals last year was no fluke.
Series Details: Minnesota Timberwolves vs San Antonio Spurs | Western Conference Semifinals | Begins May 4, 2026