Edwards calms Timberwolves in return, sparks Game 1 win over Spurs

"It was huge," Randle said of Edwards' return. "For him to go out and do what he did. Just ability to bounce back and give us whatever he had out there was huge. He made a lot of big shots. I'm just super happy and super proud to have him back because you know what he brings to the game."

The Timberwolves narrowly outshot the Spurs 45.6% to 44.8%. They were outscored 58-54 in the paint, 27-10 off fast breaks and 33-32 off the bench. The game had 19 lead changes and was tied 17 times.

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama totaled 11 points, 15 rebounds, 12 blocks and five assists. Rookie guard Dylan Harper scored 18 points off the Spurs' bench.

The Timberwolves outscored the Spurs 24-23 in the first quarter, which had five lead changes. Edwards entered 3:07 after the tip-off. He made a turnaround fadeaway jumper in front of the Spurs bench about five minutes later. He then looked back at the Spurs bench and shouted "I'm back" as he ran back on defense.

The lead switched hands five more times in the second quarter, when the Spurs outscored the Timberwolves 22-21, but the game was tied 45-45 at the break.

The Spurs outshot the Timberwolves 57.9% to 37.5% in the third quarter to carry a 72-69 advantage into the final frame.

Edwards hit a 3-pointer on the first attempt of the fourth quarter. Guard De'Aaron Fox, who failed to score in the first half, helped the Spurs take an 84-81 lead with 8:22 remaining.

But the Timberwolves responded with a 13-2 surge and never trailed again.

Edwards made 5 of 7 attempts for his 11 fourth-quarter points. Randle chipped in nine over the final 12 minutes. The Spurs outscored the Timberwolves 8-3 over the final 1:34, but couldn't complete their rally.

Harper cut the deficit to two with a dunk with 31 seconds remaining and Randle missed a jump shot on the next possession. Spurs forward Julian Champagnie could not convert on a buzzer-beating 3-point attempt, resulting in the home loss.

The Timberwolves (1-0) will take on the Spurs (0-1) in Game 2 at 9:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday in San Antonio. Game 3 of the best-of-seven game series will be Friday in Minneapolis.

"We need to figure out before 48 hours what we can do better and I've got no doubt that we will," Wembanyama said. "I trust us."