After Minnesota closed within 102-100, Victor Wembanyama, as part of a 16 point fourth quarter masterpiece, captained a 13-8 finish, and San Antonio righted the wrongs of their earlier free throw shooting woes to put away the Wolves 115-108. With Anthony Edwards inserted into the starting lineup for game 3, it was a tale of two first quarters as the Spurs surged to an 18-3 advantage and promptly ceded nearly all of it back to the Wolves in the closing four minutes. Despite the teams being knotted at 51 at the half, San Antonio was able to grab a hold of the lead through most of the second half before Wembanyama’s crunchtime takeover.
Minnesota
Preview | Heating Up On The Road To Hotlanta | Minnesota United FC
Hey everyone…we’re going streaking…but, keep your clothes on, fans…I’m talking about our Loons since, in the technical sense, two straight wins makes it a streak. But, dad jokes aside, it’s encouraging to see the Black and Blue shake off their short lull to take six points from their victorious efforts in Charlotte and back home against Sporting Kansas City. As for this weekend, the boys will hit the road looking to continue their hot streak in Hotlanta. Of course, I’m talking about Atlanta United, so let’s do exactly that, shall we?
| Run of Form
Minnesota United FC (5-2-2)
As I touched on just a few sentences ago, the Loons have done their part in making that home loss against Houston a few weeks back feel like a distant memory. With two wins in hand and six points in the standings, the boys find themselves sitting a little prettier in the Western Conference in the number four spot. In recent history, MNUFC has been able to rise to the occasion when going on the road, but not every away matchday is built the same, and Atlanta will present its own set of obstacles to contend with.More on that shortly.
Atlanta United FC (3-3-3)
The other United’s last outing, a scoreless draw with the Chicago Fire, won’t go down as one of their sharper performances. While Atlanta was able to at least take a point from the match, they won’t be thrilled with the final result considering they didn’t allow Chicago a single shot on-target . And, Atlanta’s record at the moment isn’t a true representation of the talent on their roster, because they are flush with it. However, the Five Stripes’ attack just doesn’t seem to be on the same page at the moment, and while they’ve played well defensively this season, they’re still thin on the backline, as multiple defenders have been on the shelf with injuries. With the Loons having a fair amount of depth on the roster, Atlanta’s lack thereof could be something our forwards can exploit.
| Keys to the Game
Maybe it isn’t exactly common knowledge to Loons fans since Atlanta hails from the Eastern Conference, but Mercedes-Benz Stadium is far from “friendly confines” for the visitors. Atlanta’s fanbase shows up and gets loud enough to blow the roof off the place. Speaking of roofs, it’s another x-factor that the Black and Blue rarely have to deal with, if ever. The thing about roofs is they hold all that noise coming from their crowd inside, and while the boys have shown that they can be road warriors and spoil the opposition’s night, they’ll have to overcome a hostile environment to do so this Saturday.
Mo’ Giorgos, Mo’ Problems?
About a month ago, Giorgos Giakoumakis was in top form. While it was, and still is, way too early to be handing out awards yet, the Atlanta United striker was having his name tossed around as an early front-runner for the Golden Boot. But, a bone bruise in his right knee would put a hitch in his giddyup, both literally and figuratively, which kept him sidelined for the better part of April. Last weekend against Chicago, Giakoumakis made his return to the pitch and was able to put in 66 minutes with the starting XI before being subbed off. After coming away from Chicago without any setbacks, I expect to see more of the Greek goal-scorer, who will be hunting for his first goal since before his injury. He may not be the only star Minnesota will have to contend with, but if the backline can avoid letting the striker get behind them, and if Dayne’s on his game, we can keep Giakoumakis at bay.
Against Sporting Kansas City, the attack was the story in the first half. As for the second half, while it was less pretty than the boys’ showing earlier in the evening, I would define it as a gritty, bend-don’t-break effort defensively…with maybe a little bit of luck mixed in too. But, against a loaded Atlanta attack, the midfield is likely to have their hands full trying to stop the likes of Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada in the middle of the pitch. While the Loons have shown how successful they can be when attacking with their wingbacks pressed up the field, the workrate that goes into that approach can be draining. Last week, Joseph Rosales and D.J. Taylor were all over the pitch, and worthy contributors to holding the advantage in the second half. Going into Atlanta, I do wonder how fresh their legs will be after grinding it out last week. Coach Ramsay has proven to be somewhat fearless in giving opportunities to young talent and versatile reserves in the Loons’ starting XI. Whatever strategy Ramsay plans to implement, the need for fresher legs may be something to consider if they want to keep up with Atlanta wingers Saba Lobjanidze and Tyler Wolff. If not, then it’s only a matter of time before they start looking for opportunities to find Almada and Giakoumakis in the middle. But, if Rosales and Taylor have their fitness intact for this Saturday, their presence will buoy the Loons’ chances from both a defensive and ball possession standpoint.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Wild returns to Saint Paul tonight, taking on the Avalanche at Grand Casino Arena for the first time in the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The following lineup is a projection and is subject to change:
San Antonio, despite its early success, struggled for some time to find sufficient support of Wembanyama (39 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks). Running mates Stephon Castle (13 points, 12 assists, and 4 rebounds) and De’Aaron Fox (17 points and 5 assists) started slowly, but both of them worked through the kinks when it mattered most. Devin Vassell (13 points and 6 rebounds) made just the right plays on both ends. Rookie Carter Bryant (6 points and 2 rebounds) made the most of his first half minutes to help the Spurs stay ever so slightly ahead of the Wolves. Keldon Johnson (11 points) worked through an ineffectual playoffs thus far and had a much-needed burst late in the third quarter. Dylan Harper (8 points and 4 rebounds) figured meaningfully in the closing minutes.
Minnesota’s Edwards (32 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the way as expected with Jaden McDaniels (17 points and 7 rebounds) reprising his standout role from the Denver series. Former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) had an excellent effort off the bench, while Ayo Dosummu (11 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) also helped the Wolves nearly pull off the upset.
San Antonio picked up where it left off from Wednesday night showcasing its defensive clamps – Edwards’ free throw was the only Minnesota scoring as they missed their first 11 shots. Wembanyama again set up shop in the paint and scored four early ones and netted 9 of the team’s first 11 points. The Wolves stayed glued to one point until the 5:09 mark when a Gobert tip-in roused the crowd from slumber. The Spurs reached zenith at 18-3. Despite the early San Antonio advantage, both teams shot a combined 9-for-36 (25%) over the first nine minutes, which was a foreboding lurch into Minnesota’s closing run. Gobert generated surprising offense, which emboldened Edwards to seek out his offense and the Wolves closed within 22-23 after one.
Three quick Minnesota field goals threatened to cause the Target Center to ’go crazy,‘ but the Spurs’ veterans – Wembanyama and Fox – stabilized them over several tense possessions. Bryant saw first half action and hit a pair of timely threes. Despite wresting the lead back, San Antonio left plentiful points on the board with its free throw misses. The teams fought and clawed to stay within 1-2 possesions of each other until fireworks from Minnesota and San Antonio resulted in a 51 tie at the half.
The teams put up a flurry of threes during a whirlwind third period. San Antonio remained ahead by a handful after the artillery exchange. The really interesting thing was that different players accounted for each three on both sides. The Spurs pushed their lead to as high as seven until Edwards and Dosummu connected on several quick field goals. Wembanyama, while having his left arm behind held by Gobert, swatted away Edwards’ floater with his right hand, and then the Wolves star held his right side as the center tried to run upcourt to join his tammates. After the pace slowed to a veritable crawl, San Antonio still found itself up seven going to the final 12 minutes.
- This was the second game this series where Randle made hostile contact to Castle, and the Spurs guard was whistled for the foul. Tonight’s call, however, was overturned after review.
- If Gobert continues to stay long stretches on the bench, that may effectively consume any meaningful Kornet minutes.
- My friend said, “remember when Ginobili would get fouled… his hair would fly everywhere? That’s Castle” And all I could reply with was “until 2007.”
- Does the Amazon arrow change directions depending on who’s leading?
- It makes sense why the Spurs tried to sell tickets to people within 150 miles of San Antonio in Round 1. The Philadelphia / New York game very much sounded like a pro-Knicks crowd.
- My three sisters and I ended our respective eulogies for my dad with ‘Go Spurs Go.’
- Sequence of the Game #1: Several minutes in, Wembanyama swatted away Randle’s attempt, sped past other Wolves down the floor, and and converted an and-1 over McDaniels. #wemblock
- Sequence of the Game #2: After a Reid three, Fox slithered down to the other end and got a layup over three Timberwolves.
Wembanyama dunked home successive lob passes from Vassell and Castle for San Antonio’s first four points. Fox deflected a pass on the first Wolves possession. (Wembanyama’s first block looked like a goaltend but we’ll keep that between you and me.) Wembanyama’s turnaround banker made it 11-1. The only negative for the Spurs was getting into the foul bonus in less than five minutes. Johnson’s catch-and-shoot triple made it 14-1. Reid’s three caused Mitch Johnson to burn his late period timeout. Gobert’s second and third buckets kickstarted a 9-0 run late in the stanza. Vassell’s floater salvaged a series of fraught moments. Edwards went on a personal twelve point explosion to draw Minnesota within one.
Another Wembanyama lob provided momentary relief from the Wolves’ onslaught – as Edwards, Reid, and McDaniels connected early on in the second period. Bryant hit a corner three to put San Antonio ahead for mere seconds. Bryant’s next one – a shotclock beating three – put the Spurs back up four. Minnesota again drew San Antonio into the foul bonus halfway through. Right as I was muttering to myself that he was settling for too many threes, Castle’s pull-up jumper in the paint put the Spurs up six. An offensive foul on Reid – who elbowed Kornet in the face – was overturned due to the Spurs’ center holding with his left hand. San Antonio challenged an offensive foul whistled on Castle and it was unfortunately upheld. Reid’s corner three put Minnesota back up. but Castle drew Reid’s third foul shortly after. After Castle swiped it clean from Randle, Fox hit his second straight field goal, but that was matched by a McDaniels three tying the game at 51.
Dosummu replaced Mike Conley in the starting lineup, and San Antonio made some decent stops to start the second half. Threes from Castle and Wembanyama put the Spurs up six. After the Wolves bigs used Wembanyama as a punching bag, the referees finally whistled Randle for an offensive foul on an elbow extension. Vassell threw down a thunderous lefty jam seconds later. Edwards hit two baseline floaters and Dosummi followed with a corner three. Castle and Kornet ran pick and roll action to get the center a runner. Harper took a shot to the head on a loose ball situation and stayed down on the court for minutes, while Castle and McDaniels were assessed technicals. San Antonio got into the foul bonus but continued to put up ‘1-for-2s.’ Johnson paired two freebies with a wing three and the Spurs were relieved to head to the fourth up 86-79.
For the Wolves fan’s perspective, please visit Canis Hoopus.
San Antonio stays in the Twin Cities for Game 4 with Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night at 6:30 PM CDT on NBC.
Police in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, are searching for a suspect after an individual was injured in a shooting following an altercation on Friday morning.
Officers responded to the 3300 block of 76th Street around 2:45 a.m. for a report of shots fired and a person who had been hit by gunfire, according to the Inver Grove Heights Police Department. They found the 911 caller, who was struck by a bullet. They were taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, officials said.
Investigators said the suspect was trying to get into the vehicle of the caller. Both individuals shot at each other after a short verbal altercation, according to police.
The suspect, whose description has yet to be disclosed by law enforcement, left the scene on foot.
Police are asking area residents who have video of the shooting or the suspect to email the footage to them.
Anyone who sees the suspect is urged not to approach them and to call 911. According to police, they are considered armed and dangerous.
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