Spurs surprised the Timberwolves 113–112

During the NBA's "Rivals Week" on Saturday night at Frost Bank Centre, Victor Wembanyama, a rookie for the Antonio Spurs, overcame Rudy Gobert, another French behemoth at the centre position for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Due to Karl-Anthony Towns' missed 3-pointer at the buzzer, the Spurs surprised the Timberwolves 113–112, with Wembanyama, 20, scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Gobert, 31, has served as Wemby's mentor since the latter was 16 years old, so even he was likely pleased with the plays the youngster made to finish a clean layup against him. Towns and Gobert both scored 19 points, but Anthony Edwards had a game-high 32 points. Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 25 points. In the final seconds, Wembanyama made a crucial 3-pointer to give San Antonio a 112-107 lead, but he missed two subsequent free throws.