Anthony Edwards caps wild Timberwolves rally vs. Spurs - ESPN

MINNEAPOLIS — Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs tested Target Center's tradition of standing until Minnesota makes its first basket by holding the Timberwolves scoreless for nearly five minutes Sunday to start a game they'd still end up losing 104-103.

That's because star guard Anthony Edwards spoiled Wembanyama's first start since New Year's Eve by hitting a floater with 16.8 seconds left to play as Minnesota rallied from a 19-point deficit. The Timberwolves didn't seize their first lead until 2:19 remained, when Edwards connected on an 11-foot turnaround fadeaway.

«I didn't really have it going tonight if I'm being honest,» Edwards said. «Like I told them, 'I don't care what happens in the first three quarters. Fourth quarter, three minutes, four minutes left, let me see it. Y'all can have 50 points. But in the fourth quarter, four minutes left, for the rest of the game, let me get it.'»

Edwards scored nine of his team-high 23 points in the fourth quarter on 4-of-5 shooting as Minnesota outscored San Antonio 33-18 in the final frame, putting 11 points on the board off seven Spurs turnovers.

The Timberwolves' victory marked their fifth in a row against the Spurs, and the 19-point comeback registers as the team's largest of the season.

«Just keep battling,» said Minnesota forward Julius Randle. «We missed a lot of shots. We know we didn't play really well, particularly offensively. We had it going in spurts, but we missed a lot of shots. Just keep going, keep battling, keep fighting and see what happens.»

Wembanyama scored a game-high 29 points to go with seven rebounds and dominated inside from the onset, snatching away two lobs intended for Rudy Gobert as San Antonio sped to a 16-0 lead. Minnesota misfired on