NBA semifinal series: Timberwolves stun Spurs in Game 1; Knicks beat 76ers

Anthony Edwards returned from injury to score 18 points as the visitors beat San Antonio Spurs 104-102.Julius Randle scored 21 points and Anthony Edwards came off ‌the bench to hit 18 points as the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in ⁠Game 1 of their Western ⁠Conference semifinal series.In Monday’s game in San Antonio, Minnesota were bolstered by the return of Edwards, who sustained a bone bruise in his ⁠left knee on April 25 that was supposed to keep him out multiple weeks.“We talked yesterday that if he [Edwards] was able to go, he was going to come off the bench, and if that, you know, was fine with him,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said.“He was ⁠all in, and he did a really good job of not like pushing and forcing things, even though he knew he was on a minutes restrictions. I thought he did a really good job of just staying in the flow.”San Antonio led by three points after three quarters. Edwards scored 11 of the Timberwolves’ first 19 points of the fourth period before Minnesota reeled off a 7-0 run capped by a 3-pointer by ‌Mike Conley with 4:42 left to build a 95-86 advantage.Victor Wembanyama’s dunk with 43.6 seconds left trimmed the margin to four, and Dylan Harper’s steal and layup with 30.9 seconds remaining brought San Antonio within a bucket. After a miss by Randle, the Spurs opted not to call a timeout and got the ball to Julian Champagnie, whose 3-point attempt at the buzzer hit the front of the rim and bounced away.Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, “Dylan did a good job pushing the ball and kicking it ahead. Julian had a fly-by and had a shot in rhythm. No problem with the shot. That was a great shot. I hope he shoots it every time.”