ANTHONY EDWARDS – 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.

Comments Welcome

Unique Night May See Both Wild & Wolves ‘Cookin’ at Home

Posted on April 29, 2026April 29, 2026 by David Shama

Years ago, legend was that a certain media member had a strategy when the Wild and Timberwolves were playing at home on the same night. The formula for deciding where to go was this:

Catch the pregame media meal in St. Paul and then head for Minneapolis to watch the Wolves. Why? The food was too good to pass up at the “X,” but he preferred to spend most of the evening covering basketball.

On a rare, perhaps unique evening on Thursday, Minnesota’s NHL and NBA teams will both host games leading 3-2 in best of seven playoff series. Fans can make their own choices on culinary offerings, but whether you go to St. Paul or Minneapolis things will be “cookin.”

The taste in the mouths of Wild fans is likely to be sweeter near midnight Thursday than for Wolves patrons. The Wild has a healthier roster and is coming off a 4-2 win last evening in Dallas against the Stars. The Wolves are without two injured starters, including their best player in Anthony Edwards, and lost in Denver Monday to the Nuggets in a game that may have changed the series’ momentum.

The Wild hasn’t given up more than four goals in a game so far. Last night Minnesota blocked 25 Dallas shots and allowed 22 on goal, the franchise’s lowest postseason total in almost five years. Wild rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt stopped 20 shots. Starting in all five games, he has 2.05 goals against average and .926 save percentage. After last night’s game ESPN hockey analyst P.K. Subban told a national audience the Wild is playing the best of any NHL team defensively.

Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizove — Kirill Kaprizov

This is a series that could already be over with the Wild winning 4-2. A what-if happened in the third game. In the first overtime period Minnesota superstar Kirill Kaprizov had a near miss winning goal in a double overtime 3-2 loss in St. Paul.

After last night’s game Kaprizov was leading all NHL players in points during the playoffs with nine (two goals and seven assists). He’s part of a talented roster that includes veterans and newcomers.

Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin boosted the team’s Stanley Cup playoff chances with the December trade acquiring Quinn Hughes. He’s considered one of the sports’ best defensemen. Just last month the Wild added forward Mike McCarron who has two goals in the series with the Stars. With 7:47 in the third last night he had a clutch goal sending the Wild ahead 3-1 in the game.

Timberwolves GM Tim Connelly made a savvy in-season move, too, when he acquired guard Ayo Dosunmuin in a multiplayer deal with the Bulls. The trade has been a godsend for the Wolves who gave up guard Rob Dillingham who has made minimal impact in Chicago while Dosunmu is showing star potential.

In 42:01 minutes off the bench last Saturday, Ayo Dosunmu scored a career-high 43 points on 13-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-5 from three and a 12-of-12 from the free throw line. The Wolves needed that performance because Edwards only played about 17minutes before a knee injury sidelined him in that game and for the series.

Minnesota went up 3-1 in the series last Saturday, but things are cozier now after Denver’s 125-113 win on Monday night. The Wolves were playing not only without Edwards, but also a second starter in guard Donte DiVincenzo, who tore his right Achilles tendon last Saturday. The Nuggets played without key starter Aaron Gordon on Monday because of a serious calf strain and he is questionable for tomorrow night.

Defensive strategy, intensity and skill is likely to decide Game 6 tomorrow night at Target Center. Wolves center Rudy Gobert, 33, has at times played some of his best career defense in the series against Denver center Nikoa Jokic—regarded by some authorities as the best basketball player in the world. In Saturday’s game he was -12 in the NBA plus-minus ratings impact but Monday was +12.

Wolves defender Jaden McDaniels has made scoring an uphill battle for All-Star Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray. In the series he has three games shooting under 40 percent (including two under 32 percent). In three of the games his plus-minus has been -13, -12 and -4.

The Nuggets’ best strategy against what can be a hounding Wolves defense could be early in the game positioning Jokic in the low block and consistently giving him the basketball in an effort to put Gobert in foul trouble. As Gobert and other defenders sag on Jokic, the spacing could open up better looks at the hoop for Murray.

Worth Noting

April is National Humor Month which brings to mind Minnesota sports characters who made us laugh.

The late Sid Hartman mangled more than a few words during his WCCO Radio career. A favorite was when he described an athlete that tore his “Khrushchev.”

Former WCCO colleague Dark Star’s phone voice mail said if it’s good news or money, leave a message.

A friend sent this quote by former Twins owner Calvin Griffith: “I can’t tell you exactly what I intend to do, but I can tell you one thing. It won’t be anything rational.”

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