Vassell, Wembanyama key rally as Spurs overcome Edwards' big game to edge Timberwolves, 113-112
Timberwolves Spurs Basketball
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Devin Vassell had 25 points, Victor Wembanyama added 23 points and 10 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs rallied to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-112 on Saturday night.
The San Antonio Spurs Coyote mascot captures a bat that flew onto the court during the first half of the Spurs’ NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Anthony Edwards had 32 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota, and Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points each. Towns missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Timberwolves had a two-game winning streak snapped.
Officials halted play two minutes into the game when a bat descended on the court seconds after Wembanyama made a 3-pointer.
The Spurs’ mascot, The Coyote, captured the bat with a net after numerous failed attempts, much to the delight of Wembanyama and Jeremy Sochan. The Coyote had previously corralled two bats, and Manu Ginobili swatted another to the count with his bare hand in November 2009.
San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan reacts after looking at a bat that was caught in a net during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Wembanyama’s 3-pointer gave San Antonio a 112-107 lead with two minutes remaining, but he missed two free throws with the Spurs up 112-110. Keldon Johnson hit one of two free throws to put San Antonio up 113-112 to set up Town’s final shot.
Johnson finished with 14 points for the Spurs.
San Antonio Spurs’ Cedi Osman, left, passes the ball over Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jordan McLaughlin (6) and Naz Reid during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Doug McDermott’s 3-pointer put San Antonio up 93-92 with 8:40 remaining for their first lead since the opening minutes.
San Antonio Spurs’ Blake Wesley (14) attempts to shoot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Naz Reid during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: At Oklahoma City on Monday night.
Spurs: Host Washington on Monday night.
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Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards dunks against San Antonio Spurs’ Keldon Johnson, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, right, yells to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Timberwolves Spurs Basketball
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, left, is fouled as he goes to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich watches play during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards (5) drives against San Antonio Spurs’ Dominick Barlow during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)