Timberwolves Face Spurs on Saturday Following Win Over Clippers
Minnesota travels to San Antonio for its first matchup of the season against the Spurs as both teams navigate early injuries.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The matchup marks the first meeting of the season between the two Western Conference squads, with the game available for fans to stream via DAZN in both local markets.
Minnesota heads into the contest following a strong 127-101 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers in their opening NBA Cup game on Friday night. That win brought the Timberwolves' record to 4-2 on the season, helping them bounce back from consecutive losses against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. The game against San Antonio begins a stretch where Minnesota will play three of its next four games on the road.
The San Antonio Spurs enter Saturday's matchup enjoying a three-game winning streak. After dropping their first two contests of the season to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets, the Spurs rebounded with three consecutive victories, capped by an overtime win against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Saturday's game kicks off a three-game homestand for San Antonio.
Both teams are dealing with significant roster adjustments due to injuries. The Timberwolves suffered a major blow when star guard Anthony Edwards underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Thursday. Edwards is expected to miss approximately two months after averaging 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in his first four games of the campaign. In addition, Minnesota remains without Donte DiVincenzo, who continues recovering from right Achilles tendon surgery.
Minnesota center Rudy Gobert is listed as questionable for Saturday's game due to low back spasms. Gobert played 30 minutes in Friday's win over the Clippers, contributing nine points and 13 rebounds. In the absence of Edwards, the Timberwolves have adjusted their starting lineup to feature Jaden McDaniels, Ayo Dosunmu, Rudy Gobert, LaMelo Ball, and Jonathan Kuminga. McDaniels and Ball both scored more than 20 points in Friday's victory.
The Spurs are likewise navigating key absences as they look to extend their winning streak. Forward Tobias Harris remains out with a left calf strain and has yet to make his debut for San Antonio after signing with the franchise in the offseason. Rookie Jayden Quaintance is also sidelined following right knee surgery, with no timetable set for his return to basketball activities.
Despite the injuries, San Antonio has received strong recent performances from Victor Wembanyama, who posted consecutive double-doubles earlier in the week. Wembanyama averaged 29.3 points and 10.3 rebounds over the team's last three games while shooting 57.8 percent from the field. De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and Dylan Harper round out the Spurs' usual starting lineup, all scoring in double figures during Wednesday's victory over Utah.