David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Game 3 May Answer Whether Wolves Can Hang with Spurs

Posted on May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 by David Shama

The Spurs’ beatdown of the Timberwolves last night, 133-95, was so severe it casts doubt whether Minnesota can make the best of seven games second round playoff series competitive.

Answers, and maybe close to a final verdict, will come Friday night in Minneapolis. The series is tied 1-1 after two games in San Antonio. The Spurs, who were coming off a five day layoff, looked out of sync on Monday night and played poorly in the close series opener, 104-102. The Wolves were aggressive and sharp in upsetting the series favorite Spurs.

But last night, oh my!

The game was one-sided by halftime when Minnesota trailed 59-35. That, however, wouldn’t be San Antonio’s largest lead as the game became a second half debacle for the Wolves. The Spurs built their lead to a game high of 47 points, and early in the fourth quarter Spurs coach Mitch Johnson and Minnesota’s Chris Finch were already using deep reserves.

The Wolves looked listless and in a mental funk. On offense they didn’t have proper spacing and ball movement. The Spurs made things miserable with defensive intensity including double teaming away from the basket.

On defense the Wolves’ ineptness included not transitioning quick enough from offense and allowing easy scores. The Wolves were awful on defense near the basket—outscored in the paint, 58-36.

Minnesota shot 39.8 percent from the field and converted 30 percent of three pointers. Things were bad even at the free-throw line, with the Wolves shooting 51.6 percent. The Spurs numbers: 50 percent, 41 percent and 81.8 percent.

The Wolves had 22 turnovers in a game that seemed like the total should be more. “An incredibly sloppy game by Minnesota,” ESPN play-by-play man Dave Pasch said during the third quarter.

The performance was a real laugher, and it had to be disconcerting for Wolves fans to see multiple players apparently joking while watching from the bench in the fourth quarter. In contrast were the serious faces of Finch, center Ruby Gobert and team owner Alex Rodriguez.

There was no amusement found in the box score with 14 Wolves posting a statistical minus rating. None was higher than the -33 of guard Anthony Edwards who had four turnovers in 24:08 minutes on the floor. Forwards Julius Randle and Naz Reid were -26, Gobert -23.

Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves player — Anthony Edwards photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves

In the fourth quarter Edwards sat on the bench with large ice bags on both knees. The scene was a sharp contrast from Monday night when Edwards wasn’t even expected to play but contributed 18 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter of the close game. Edwards suffered a bone bruise and hyperextended left knee in late April.

Knee, hamstring and toes issues have slowed the team’s superstar this season. His health is a concern for Friday night with the question of what level can he play at.

The Spurs and the Thunder may not only be the best two teams in the Western Conference but in all of basketball. The two teams could face off soon with the Thunder expected to dispatch the Lakers in a sweep or in five games of the seven game series.

The Wolves have to bounce back on Friday night. Safe to say the game won’t be so one-sided again. But it’s a tall task and meant literally.

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is listed at 7-4 but might even be 7-7. The NBA has never seen such a freakish and gifted player at that size. He can dominate by scoring inside, pop out and make a three-pointer, lead a fast break and swat shots away all night on defense.

The Spurs lucked out in the NBA Draft Lottery in 2023 selecting him No. 1 overall. In the 2024 draft San Antonio picked No. 4 overall and added guard Stephon Castle who led the team in scoring Wednesday night with 21 points. Last year the Spurs picked No. 2 overall and chose guard Dylan Harper who played similar minutes last night to the starters and had a 10+ rating.

Harper and all the Spurs starters are in their first playoffs except for guard De’Aaron Fox. The group wasn’t ready to play in the series opener Monday night but had a gold standard make-up outing last night.

The Wolves, who on paper are the less talented team, know all about inconsistency. They consistently performed that way during the season. It’s been frustrating for all including the fans and inexplicable to all.

They have no margin for that Friday night or beyond in the playoffs.

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NFL Authority: Don’t Look for Vikings to Trade McCarthy

Posted on May 5, 2026May 5, 2026 by David Shama

Rumors are ongoing that the Vikings might or should trade quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The 23-year-old struggled with performance and injuries last season, his first as the team’s starter.

Now the Vikings have bolstered their quarterback roster with likely starter and veteran Kyler Murray. There is depth with not only McCarthy but also veteran Carson Wentz and second-year QB Max Brosmer. All three were with the Vikings last season and have valuable experience in the offensive system.

The reasoning for rumors about trading McCarthy is he may never be more valuable in attracting return value. The Vikings might be able to obtain a future third-round draft pick or perhaps even a third and fifth. If Minnesota keeps him and he struggles next fall as a replacement for an injured Murray, his market value diminishes.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings QB, image by David Shama — J.J. McCarthy

The million-dollar question with the young quarterback is how much will he improve in the coming seasons? Has Vikings head coach and quarterback guru Kevin O’Connell already seen the ceiling for McCarthy? NFL history is filled with both quarterback busts and those who find success, even stardom, as the years pass and experience develops.

McCarthy played for and won a national championship under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Now in the NFL coaching the Chargers, Harbaugh could be in the market for another primary backup to starter Justin Herbert. That guy now is Marshall, Minnesota native Trey Lance who was the No. 3 first round pick in the 2021 draft and is playing for his third NFL team.

A trusted NFL authority, speaking on condition of anonymity, predicts McCarthy will stay in a Vikings jersey this year. “They won’t give up on J.J. this year and they shouldn’t. I expect J.J. to play at least a few games when Murray likely misses a couple,” the authority texted Sports Headliners.

Murray, playing with the Cardinals, has struggled during his career with injuries including an ACL tear and he missed most of last season with a foot injury.

Worth Noting

The source, who was a front office leader with two NFL franchises, believes Minnesota’s draft selection of defensive tackle Caleb Banks was” too risky with foot issues for (the) first round unless team doctors truly believe he’ll be fine.”

He also texted Minnesota should have drafted a center before the seventh and final round when the club selected Cincinnati center Gavin Gerhardt. Another miss, he thinks, was not acquiring a day three wide receiver to compete with Tai Felton for the third receiver position now that Jalen Nailor left as a free agent.

The source likes “the big run stuffing” potential of third round defensive lineman choice Domonique Orange and another pick in that round, safety Jakobe Thomas. He’s also positive on the potential of cornerback Charles Demmings (fifth round) and speed of running back Demond Claiborne (sixth round). He added it’s necessary to wait “at least a year” to know how any draft turns out.

The authority was also critical of trading outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard to the Eagles, referring to him as the Vikings’ “best pass rusher when healthy.” The Vikings received a third round pick this year and third rounder in 2027. He texted the Vikings, who made the move for financial concerns, should have received at least a second-round draft choice.

Former Vikings and Bucs linebacker Pete Najarian has an optimistic take on Minnesota’s selection of the 23-year-old Banks who is listed at an imposing 6-6, 327 pounds. “I understand the risk but in this case, I think he was the best defensive tackle/edge rusher in the draft,” Najarian texted.

“I love his size. He’s an absolute beast but I do understand that he has had an issue with his foot. That does bother me but he’s not 28 years old, he’s closer to 21 years old guys that …tend to come back from injury much faster.”

Among the storylines tonight when the Wild plays in Denver against the Avalanche is who plays in goal. Rookie Jesper Wallstedt was terrific in the team’s first round series against the Stars but he gave up eight goals in Minnesota’s second round series opener Sunday night.

After that performance Blue Jackets coach and TNT analyst Rick Bowness suggested replacing Wallstedt with veteran Filip Gustavsson. Such a move, he said, could be protective of Wallstedt’s confidence. Reports today are that it will be Gustavsson replacing Wallstedt.

The Avs reportedly found weaknesses in Wallstedt’s game, including his glove side. Fatigue may be another factor after he played the equivalent of seven games against the Stars including three overtime periods.

The Avs, who won the Presidents’ Trophy for having the NHL’s best regular season record, have the healthier roster. The Wild will be without key injured players in defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Joel Eriksson Ek.

Tonight’s game almost feels like a must-win for the Wild who can’t afford the luxury of being down 2-0 before coming home to Minnesota to play on Saturday evening.

A piece of trivia Wild fans like is that in the last 40 years, the Presidents’ Trophy winner has only eight times gone on to win the Stanley Cup.

Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards, returning from injury, came off the bench last night to score 18 points in helping Minnesota to a Game 1 second round playoff win over the Spurs in San Antonio. Edwards is one of five players since the NBA-ABA merger (in 1976-77) to average at least 26 points per game, five plus rebounds and five plus assists through the first 25 road games of their postseason career.

The lead changed 19 times in Minnesota’s 104-102 upset win over the Spurs who are behind only the Thunder as the wagering favorite to win the NBA championship. The Wolves’ largest lead was nine, the Spurs’ seven.

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Wild Skate, Wolves Hoop but Both on Common Ground

Posted on May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 by David Shama

The Wild be skatin’ against the Avalanche next week, while the Timberwolves will be hoopin’ versus the Spurs. Minnesota’s NHL and NBA teams both advanced to the second round of their playoffs last night by closing out the Stars and Nuggets in St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The Wild play on ice in a game invented in Canada while the Wolves play on a hardwood court in a sport created by American James Naismith. It might seem the two franchises have little in common but think again.

From the trivial to the significant, there is common ground:

Both teams won their opening best of seven games playoff series by 4-2 margins. Both did so in raucous arenas that are building reputations this spring as among the loudest in the NHL and NBA.

In beating the Stars, the Wild took down a prize rival from its division that just happens to be the franchise once known as the North Stars and was based in Bloomington until moving to Dallas after the 1992-1993 season. The Nuggets, who have lost in the playoffs to the Wolves twice in the last three years, have an intense rivalry with Minnesota and this spring players from both teams lost their cool on the court.

Both teams advanced in the playoffs with textbook defense. The Stars managed just 15 goals over six games, with Dallas frustrated by Minnesota’s team defense and rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt. The Wild showed why its defense might be the best of any team in the playoffs.

The Wolves held the Nuggets under 100 points in three of the last four games, bothering Denver with their team length and athleticism. Offensive production was slowed and even stopped at times with Jaden McDaniels’ shutdown of Denver All-Star guard Jamal Murray who made four of 17 shots last night. Center Nikola Jokic, revered as one of the NBA’s all-time greats, struggled to score at times because of Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert.

The Wild and Wolves are playing in front of adoring fans who have long known frustration and are treasuring the good times of 2026. Since the Wild’s inception in 2000 this is a franchise that can claim just one deep playoff run, losing in four straight games in the conference finals to the Ducks in 2003. Last night’s win was the first time Minnesota has won its opening playoff series since 2015.

The Wolves have been to the conference finals three times, including twice in the last two years, but the franchise historically has been known more for losing than winning. From 2005-2017 the Wolves didn’t make the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons.

Both franchises have known their ups and downs in front office decision making but now have the right leaders in place. Bill Guerin, hired in 2019, had to escape the financial burden of long-term deals with Zach Parise and Ryan Suter but now has assembled a roster with several players who rank among the NHL’s best. This, of course, includes the in-season acquisition of star defenseman Quinn Hughes who scored two goals last night in the 5-2 victory over the Stars. Guerin also persuaded franchise record setting scorer Kirill Kaprizov to commit long-term to the franchise.

Tim Connelly, hired in 2022, has been calculated but at the right times aggressive in building the Wolves roster. His historic 2022 trade involving players and draft picks with Utah brought defensive savant Gobert to Minneapolis. He also maneuvered a difficult financial situation before the season in 2024, trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks in return for two key contributors in Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. A savvy in-season 2026 move acquired guard Ayo Dosunmu who is the team’s leading scorer in the playoffs at 21.8 points per game.

Timberwolves owner Marc Lore — Marc Lore

The Wild and Wolves, both expansion franchises, have solid owners. Wild owner Craig Leipold is a personable leader who has plenty of NHL experience, previously owning the Predators and now being the boss in Minnesota. It was Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, when they were minority owners back in 2022, who pushed for hiring Connelly. Sitting at courtside, fans can see the passion of the two men who are now majority owners and reveled in last night’s 110-98 win.

The owners of both franchises are lobbying for improved or new arenas. Leipold hopes to complete a major renovation of Grand Casino Arena that may include money from the Wild, city of St. Paul and state. The Wolves want a new arena in Minneapolis with many details yet to be confirmed.

Both teams are moving on to play second round foes against whom they will be underdogs. The Avalanche is the wagering favorite to win the Stanley Cup. The Spurs are considered by authorities to be second only to the Thunder in likelihood to win the NBA title.

Last evening the Wolves and Wild became the seventh pair of NBA and NHL teams from the same metropolitan area to win out in a seven-game playoff series on the same day, per the Timberwolves PR Department. The duo is the third pair to do it at home and the first twosome to accomplish that in Game 6.

Wild and Wolves play vastly different sports, but the St. Paul and Minneapolis teams have enough in common to be “kissin’ cousins.”

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