Full Breakdown
Timberwolves' Playoff Exit and Anthony Edwards' Controversial Gesture
5/18/2026, 6:44:20 AM
Game 6 Defeat Ends Timberwolves' Run
On Friday, May 15, 2026, the Minnesota Timberwolves lost to the San Antonio Spurs 139-109 in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at the Target Center, sealing a 4-2 series win. Guard Anthony Edwards had 24 points, two rebounds and two assists before exiting with eight minutes left.
Injuries and Roster Instability Shaped the Series
The Timberwolves entered without forward Donte DiVincenzo, who tore his Achilles in the first round. Edwards played through a hyperextension and knee issues; Naz Reid dealt with a shoulder injury; veteran Mike Conley, 38, saw reduced minutes but remained a stabilizing presence.
Key Figures
Anthony Edwards – four-time All-Star guard.
Chris Finch – head coach focused on health.
Mike Conley – veteran guard, unrestricted free agent.
Former players Udonis Haslem, Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin served as Amazon Prime analysts.
Series Numbers and Player Contributions
The Spurs out-scored Minnesota by 30 points in the fourth quarter. Edwards’ 24 points were his series high. DiVincenzo’s earlier plus-40 rating in the Denver series had been pivotal before his injury. Reid contributed off the bench despite his shoulder.
Edwards' Post-Game Remarks and Team Outlook
Edwards said the Spurs “were just a better team” and he wanted to “give them the respect they deserve.” He said his offseason will focus on “knees, ankles, hips” and that the roster “doesn’t need a co-star.” He added the team failed to build championship habits.
Analyst Criticism of Mid-Game Congratulation
Analysts Haslem, Nowitzki and Griffin said the gesture was premature. Haslem called it “showing weakness” with eight minutes left; Nowitzki said he’d “never seen” a player “dapping up the entire team” before the buzzer; Griffin urged “take your licks at the end of the game.”
On-the-Court Reflections
After the loss, Edwards told reporters, “Missing Donte is big for us, man,” and reiterated his need to “focus on my knees” after a season of injuries.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree on the score, Edwards’ removal and the criticism of his gesture; no contradictions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I just tip my hat to them, they’re just a better team. At that point, you know you ain’t going back in. You just trying to give them the respect they deserve,” — Anthony Edwards, Guard, Minnesota Timberwolves
- “As a leader, I would not have walked down there and shook their hands,” — Udonis Haslem, Analyst, Amazon Prime
- “I’ve watched the NBA and been a part of it for a long, long time. I’ve never seen this. A guy walking into the huddle with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter and dapping up the entire team? Too much for me,” — Dirk Nowitzki, Analyst, Amazon Prime
- “Yeah, 100% health is going to be absolutely key for him.” — Chris Finch, Head Coach, Minnesota Timberwolves
Future Outlook: Free Agency and Health Priorities
The Timberwolves face a roster overhaul, with UFAs including Conley, Joe Ingles, Kyle Anderson, Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland. Conley plans to keep playing, while Finch stresses that “100% health” will guide offseason decisions.
