Open Thread: The ramifications of the Spurs taking Game 3

History is on the side of the San Antonio Spurs.

In a 7 games series, when tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 goes on the win the series 73% of the time.

In Game 1, Anthony Edwards came off the bench. After a rapid recovery from a knee hyperextension he gave the Timberwolves a boost with 18 points in 25 minutes of play. In Game 2, the Spurs dominated as Ant-Man was held to 12 points in a blow out. But in Game 3, Edwards did what he does, playing an impressive 41 minutes and tallying a more impressive 32 points. 12 consecutive points at the end of the first including a buzzer-beater followed by taking the lead at the start of the second quarter.

The Timberwolves problem isn’t Anthony Edwards.

And that’s the problem.

Edwards has been one of the league’s most promising players since going first overall in 2020. He’s stayed hot while many of his contemporaries have cooled off. Edward’s skillset, showmanship, youth and vitality had pundits predicting him as a future face of the NBA…until Victor Wembanyama came along.

The Timberwolves have made some high profile trades since Edwards proved to be worth the hype, hedging future draft picks for Rudy Gobert, sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, and parting with a developing Rob Dillingham in lieu of the more seasoned Ayo Dosunmu.

If statistics prove correct and the Spurs do win the series, to what length will the organization go to please their generational talent? Who would be on the chopping block?

Minnesota are the most “win now” team in the Western Conference. I’d say in the league, but the Knicks hold that honor. Ever since the Karl- Anthony Towns trade, they’ve both been in line to be the league’s top squad.

The Timberwolves have also been to the Western Conference Finals the last two seasons, losing to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024 and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 20205.

For perspective, since the 2024 Finals the Dallas Mavericks have since blown it up. After winning in 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder are still at the top of the their game and favorites to win it all.

If they lose a round earlier to a team still on their rise, their window begins to close.

At Edward’s age, the Timberwolves will still be contenders. They could be a piece or two before plateauing, but let’s be honest, the T-wolves are less likely to resemble the late 90s Chicago Bulls and more likely to fare like the late 90s Utah Jazz.

And ultimately Edwards will live in the shadow of Victor Wembanyama. True, most will, but many saw it coming. This will be Ant-Man’s first true reckoning,

He’s lost to Luka Doncic, he’s been knocked out my Shai Gilgeous- Alexander. Losing to Wemby now could have a more profound effect on his ego than he’s ready for.

But It’s not just Anthony Edwards who needs this win. The organization needs it to keep the team on the rise. A step backward will surely rock the whole program and give them a lot to think about in the offseason.

The question is — when will Minnesota’s offseason start?

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