The one advantage that the Timberwolves have over the Spurs is experience.
The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals and they've now fallen behind 3-2 in the series, but that doesn't mean that all hope is lost.
While the Timberwolves absolutely have to enter survival mode considering the fact that they're now just one loss away from elimination, that doesn't mean that they'e going to enter panic mode.
This is a team that has playoff experience and they've accomplished comebacks before. The best example of that comeback mentality dates back to the 2024 Conference Semifinals, where the Timberwolves fell behind 3-2 to the Denver Nuggets after suffering three straight losses.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the second half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesThat setback didn't stop them then and they won the next two straight games to defeat the Nuggets. That's exactly the kind of situation that the Timberwolves have to repeat now and it's the time they've spent in the playoffs that they'll be relying on to guide them now.
Drawing On The Past
"That's where the experience comes in. We know what we've got to do," Naz Reid said (via Timberwolves). "We know what situation we'e in. We've been in this situation before. So, it's not time to panic. This is when you keep calm and we play our brand of basketball."
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesThat's the main advantage that the Timberwolves have over this particular Spurs team. While San Antonio is bolstered by the Herculean feats that Victor Wembanyama has been capable of, the team as a whole hasn't had a lot time to play together in the postseason.
This is Wembanyama's first postseason and the Spurs haven't been in a postseason at all since 2019 and they haven't been past the first round since 2017.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) shoots in front of San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesThe Timberwolves, on the other hand, have been perennial playoff contenders and know what it takes to upset teams seeded higher than them.
Playing Together
In the critical moments of the playoffs, no matter who the opponent is, that experience may trump overall talent when it matters most.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) dribbles the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) plays defense in the second half during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesOf course, it falls on the Timberwolves to actually utilize that experience, which Reid seems aware of, but if they're able to draw on that experience in crunch time, they just may be able to pull off yet another upset in this postseason.
They'll have to win two straight games to do it, but as the Timberwolves have already proven so far this postseason, anything is possible when the team is clicking well.