Chris Finch Calls Out Timberwolves’ Offense After Blowout Loss to Spurs

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series riding the momentum of a strong road victory and the return of Anthony Edwards to the lineup. Just one game later, however, the confidence surrounding the team took a major hit after a crushing 133-95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Minnesota struggled from the opening quarter and never recovered as the Spurs dominated on both ends of the floor. By the end of the third quarter, the outcome was effectively decided, with San Antonio controlling the pace, forcing turnovers, and exposing nearly every weakness in the Timberwolves’ offense.

Following the defeat, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch did not hide his frustration. Finch pointed directly to his team’s offensive approach, criticizing Minnesota for lacking direction, aggression, and the downhill attacking style that has often fueled its success throughout the season.

The loss not only evened the series at 1-1 but also raised concerns about Minnesota’s ability to handle San Antonio’s defensive pressure moving forward. As the matchup shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3, the Timberwolves must quickly regroup and rediscover the identity that helped them steal the series opener.

1. Finch Frustrated By Offensive Struggles

After the game, Finch identified what he believed was the biggest issue in Minnesota’s performance: the inability to generate purposeful offense. According to the Timberwolves coach, the team spent too many possessions dribbling without attacking or creating advantages against San Antonio’s defense. Finch emphasized that Minnesota performs best when playing aggressively downhill and forcing defensive rotations. Instead, the Timberwolves settled for difficult shots and struggled to create consistent penetration into the paint throughout the game. The shooting numbers reflected those offensive problems clearly. Minnesota finished with poor shooting splits of 40 percent from the field, 30 percent from three-point range, and just 52 percent from the free-throw line. The missed foul shots only added to an already frustrating offensive night. Without rhythm or ball movement, the Timberwolves repeatedly found themselves taking contested jumpers late in possessions. Against a Spurs team playing with confidence and energy, Minnesota’s stagnant offense became increasingly difficult to overcome as the game slipped further away.

2. Spurs Defense Completely Disrupted Minnesota

San Antonio’s defense played a major role in forcing Minnesota into one of its worst performances of the season. The Spurs consistently pressured ball handlers, clogged driving lanes, and disrupted the Timberwolves’ preferred inside-out offensive style. Victor Wembanyama’s presence around the basket proved especially important. The Spurs star altered shots, discouraged drives, and made it difficult for Minnesota to establish any interior scoring rhythm. With Wembanyama protecting the paint, the Timberwolves struggled to generate efficient offense near the rim. Minnesota also committed 22 turnovers, many of which directly fueled San Antonio’s transition attack. The Spurs capitalized on nearly every mistake, turning defensive stops into easy fast-break opportunities that quickly expanded the lead. Compounding the problem was San Antonio’s offensive efficiency. The Spurs shot 50 percent from the field, 41 percent from beyond the arc, and 82 percent from the free-throw line. Because San Antonio scored consistently, Minnesota frequently faced a set defense in the half court, where its offensive issues became even more noticeable.

3. Edwards And Injuries Add To Minnesota’s Challenges

Anthony Edwards’ return from injury had initially given Minnesota optimism entering the series, but the All-Star guard is still working his way back toward full form. In Game 2, Edwards scored only 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting while playing 24 minutes off the bench. Although Edwards showed flashes of explosiveness, he appeared limited at times and was unable to provide the offensive spark Minnesota desperately needed. His four turnovers also reflected the broader struggles the Timberwolves experienced against San Antonio’s defensive pressure. Minnesota’s problems deepened further when Ayo Dosunmu exited the game after re-aggravating his injury. His absence hurt the Timberwolves’ ability to play with pace and maintain consistent backcourt pressure, particularly as the game became increasingly one-sided. Now, with the series shifting to Target Center, Finch and the Timberwolves must find solutions quickly. Whether through lineup adjustments, improved ball movement, or a more aggressive attacking mentality, Minnesota knows it cannot afford another performance like Game 2 if it hopes to regain control of the series.