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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 17: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs stands on the court during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Some of these Timberwolves just have that howling Wolf in them. That win was as fearless as it gets. 

With his star teammate still laboring and all, Terrance Shannon Jr. walked into San Antonio prepared to issue. 

It may be only his second season, only his second postseason and only one the very few playoff series he’s received meaningful playing time in, but he met the moment Monday night. And it’s only Game 1.

The Timberwolves secured a 104-102 road victory over the heavily-favored San Antonio Spurs. Already, the top seed in this series watched its home court advantage slip through the cracks. 

And already, players are unafraid to express emotion.

It’s shaping up to be a scratchy, chippy series between two teams desperate for a trip to the conference finals. 

One has been there the last two years and wants to right the wrongs of the past, while the other wants to taste the stage for the first time.

In a matter of days, a winner will come out of these semifinals. And, boy, will it be a treat for the fans all throughout.

Young Wolf Showing Minnesota Timberwolves Have No Fear

It’s hard to begin illustrating this Wolves win without mentioning the sheer number of contributors. 

GettySAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 04: Terrence Shannon Jr. #1 and Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 04, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Minnesota saw — cue that undying LeBron James line — not one, not two, not three, not four, not even five … but six players score double-figures. That’s the kind of “sharing of wealth” a supposedly inferior team needs to deliver in a road playoff game.

The Wolves played with an emotional edge — usually kickstarted by their leader Anthony Edwards. But this time, it was a rather unassuming name.

Or, so we thought. 

Shannon Jr., still feeling vivacious after scoring 24 points in the close out Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets, again played bigger than he looked and louder than he sounded. 

And then he got even louder after the buzzer sounded.

Victor Wembanyama, the defensive metronome, may have had a bajillion blocks. 

But Shannon Jr. says you’ll need to keep blocking my shots before I think twice.

“He gonna have to block it every time,” Shannon Jr. told reporters after the game. “I ain’t gonna stop going downhill. And I told him that when he said a little something after he blocked my second [shot]. He gonna have to block it every time, man. I know he ain’t gonna block it every single time. I’m gonna dunk on him, so there we go.”

Challenge: issued.

You hear that, Vic?

Huge Game 1 Win Tilts Series Early

In the end, the game got tight. Palms got sweaty. Throats got dry. It became a battle of mental endurance. 

The team with vastly more playoff experience pulled it out. There is just something to be said for having been there and done that when your opponent hasn’t.

That doesn’t mean these semifinals will be a walk in the park for Minnesota. San Antonio has another game at home and a chance to tie the series before hitting the road. If the Spurs capture either Game 3 or Game 4, then boom: home court re-captured.

It is often said if the road team can split the first two games, it is a major win. By that token, the Wolves are already ahead of the game. 

The chirping after plays and the post game quotes is letting the world know this series is here to produce great theater.