Over the past three postseasons, Minnesota has made it a habit of getting blown out in at least one game of seven straight playoff series.
May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards keeps the ball from San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet and guard Stephon Castle in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center.
Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesThe latest playoff debacle happened in Game 2 of the conference semifinal series against the Spurs, as San Antonio rode the back of a loud home crowd and smacked Minnesota 133-95 to even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece. Minnesota scored 35 points in the first half, watching a 28-22 deficit balloon to a 59-35 hole at the half as the Spurs closed the second quarter on a 31-13 run.
The Wolves just couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, and nothing changed in the second half as the Spurs pushed the lead to as many as 49 points in the fourth quarter. It's almost a rite of passage for the Wolves to get blown out in at least one game of every playoff series they've played in over the past three seasons.
In fact, they've had a game just like they had in Game 2 against the Spurs in seven straight series dating back to the second round of the 2024 playoffs. : Lost by 27 points at home in Game 3 Thanks to a win over the Spurs in Game 1, the Wolves have stolen the home-court advantage, as the series transitions to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
The Wolves went 3-0 at home in the first round against the Nuggets, with those wins coming by 17 points, 16 points, and 12 points, respectively.games. In fact, it was similar to Minnesota's Game 2 loss to Denver when they had 25 turnovers. The biggest difference is that the Wolves still scored 113 points in that game.
This time around, they had 22 turnoversThe only regular players to shoot the ball okay were Jaden McDaniels, who was 6 of 10, and Naz Reid, who made 4 of 7 shots off the bench. It was so bad that Minnesota emptied the bench with eight minutes left in the game, using a lineup featuring Kyle Anderson, Jaylen Clark, Julian Phillips, Joe Ingles, and rookie Joan Beringer.
JOE NELSON Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011.
He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI. Ayo Dosunmu In, Anthony Edwards Questionable; Spurs Turn to Legend For Help?
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