Anthony Edwards scores 33, Timberwolves beat Spurs

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Anthony Edwards had 33 points in 25 minutesand the Minnesota Timberwolves routed San Antonio 151-131, the mostpoints allowed in regulation under Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, onSaturday at the Moody Center.

Minnesota shot 56% on 3-pointers while making a season-high 243s.

“From the beginning of the game I feel like everybody washitting and it just carried over,” Edwards said.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points, Mike Conley had 20 pointsand Rudy Gobert had 10 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota.

The Timberwolves won for the sixth time in nine games. Minnesotawill finish no lower than ninth in the Western Conference but stillhave a chance of finishing eighth ahead of New Orleans, who theyhost Sunday.

Julian Champagnie had 24 points to lead San Antonio, which willfinish with one of the league’s three worst records. KeitaBates-Diop added 22 points and Tre Jones had 21 points, 12 assistsand 10 rebounds.

The Spurs’ final home game of the season was played in Austin.The Spurs played their final two games at the Moody Center on thecampus of the University of Texas as part of the Spurs’ regionaloutreach initiative.

San Antonio struggled offensively with its entire startinglineup out with injury except for Jones.

“Minnesota was really hot from 3,” Popovich said. “They musthave had close to 25 3s. I mean, big, but guys did well. They had21 assists in the first half. Played physically, lot of guys gotminutes that normally don’t get those minutes. Great learningsituation for everybody.”

Minnesota led by as many as 33 points in the second half afterbeing tied at 35 in the first quarter.

“Come out and be aggressive (in the second half)," Edwards said."Do what we normally do, blow stuff up. In the first half we werejust kind of letting them get into their action. Came out and blewstuff up and that pretty much changed the intensity of thegame.”

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: Minnesota co-owner Alex Rodriguez was sittingcourtside near former San Antonio star Tony Parker. Popovichgreeted Rodriguez prior to tip-off. … The Timberwolves split theirfour-game series with the Spurs this season. The average margin ofvictory in each game was 12.5 points.

Spurs: Washington scored the most points against San Antoniounder Popovich, defeating the Spurs 157-153 in double overtime onFeb. 25, 2022. … Popovich said the team sent C Zach Collins homeafter the finger he recently received stitches on began swelling.“Looks like some sort of infection,” Popovich said. Collins willnot play in the Spurs’ finale Sunday in Dallas. … Starters KeldonJohnson (sprained right foot), Jeremy Sochan (sore right knee) andDevin Vassell (injury management for left knee) all sat out withinjuries. Also missing were reserve wings Doug McDermott (sprainedright ankle) and Devonte’ Graham (left adductor strain). … SanAntonio honored former All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge following thefirst quarter. Aldridge recently announced his retirement afterplaying 16 seasons in the league, including 5 1/2 with the Spurs.Aldridge starred at Texas before being drafted by the PortlandTrailblazers in 2006. … San Antonio finished 14-27 at home thisseason. The Spurs were 16-25 at home last season.

WE’LL BE BACK

Popovich said the Spurs are eager to return to Austin afterselling out both games at the Moody Center.

The Spurs had 16,023 attend Thursday’s game and attracted 16,148Saturday after allotting more standing-room only tickets.

“Obviously, people enjoy it,” Popovich said of a return. “It’sgreat to see the place packed like that. It’s a great town, sohopefully we will be doing it more.”

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Host New Orleans on Sunday.

Spurs: At Dallas on Sunday.