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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs in action during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Frost Bank Center on December 29, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
De’Aaron Fox was not his usual self when the San Antonio Spurs fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a shocking Game 1 result of their second-round NBA playoffs series on Monday night.
Fox had only 10 points, shot 5-of-14 from the field, and turned the ball over six times, adding to the Spurs’ struggles throughout the game.
After the game, Fox did not attribute his struggles to Jaden McDaniels’ defensive brilliance against him in the game. Instead, Fox insisted that it was his own mistakes that led to a subpar performance.
“He’s an All-NBA defender, but there was nothing that he did today that he didn’t make me turn the ball over,” Fox said. “It was my mistake, it wasn’t anything I think that they did.”
Fox was hounded by McDaniels throughout the defensive-oriented game. Fox missed all four of his 3-point attempts in Game 1 as the Spurs could not brush off the Timberwolves’ defenders, such as McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, in the series opener.
McDaniels, on the other hand, had 16 points on a 7-of-14 field-goal clip, on top of five rebounds, one steal, and one block, chipping in for the Timberwolves’ cause.
Anthony Edwards, who had a hyperextended knee in the first round, also returned in Game 1 to tally 17 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, to provide the added offensive spark the Timberwolves needed.
Notably, McDaniels is coming off a series where he steered the Timberwolves’ defensive stance against the Denver Nuggets. McDaniels orchestrated Jamal Murray’s offensive struggles and helped in containing Nikola Jokic to help the Timberwolves pull off the Round 1 stunner.
It was not just Fox who struggled in the Spurs’ Game 1 loss, as Victor Wembanyama also only put up 11 points on 5-of-17 shooting from the field, including 0-of-8 from the 3-point line.
No player scored 20 points for the Spurs as the Timberwolves held them off to open the series with a stunning win.
GettyTimberwolves head coach Chris Finch lauds the team for their defense.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch lauded the team for their defensive performance in Game 1 that disrupted the Spurs’ typical offensive flow.
Finch said the Timberwolves stuck with their defensive game plans and made enough shots on offense to remain afloat throughout the game.
“Great game. Defense was at an all-time high on both ends,” Finch said postgame. “Really good job by our guys figuring out a way to make enough shots and sticking with the defense.”
The Spurs also had a terrific defensive showcase, particularly Victor Wembanyama, who recorded the most blocks in a playoff game with 12, albeit in a losing effort.
However, the Timberwolves found ways to strike late to close out the game and take a 1-0 series lead.
GettySpurs look for revenge in Game 2 against the Timberwolves.
Game 2 could shift the dynamics of the series as the Spurs look to avoid a 0-2 deficit, while the Timberwolves look to bring a commanding lead in Minnesota.
Game 2 is scheduled to be on Wednesday, May 6, in San Antonio. Games 3 and 4 will then be in Minnesota.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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