PREVIEW: The No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs will host the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals , setting up a matchup between a well-rested juggernaut and an injury-ravaged underdog hungry to prove doubters wrong. The Spurs rank among the elite defensively, allowing just 38.0 percent of three-point attempts while forcing opponents into poor shot selection , a capability that will be tested against Minnesota's balanced offensive approach. On the flip side, San Antonio efficiently attacks the rim and maintains excellent ball security with a low turnover rate , giving them multiple paths to score regardless of how the Timberwolves construct their defense. Both teams will lean heavily on their elite defensive centerpieces, with Victor Wembanyama defending as the reigning unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and Rudy Gobert bringing four defensive player of the year awards to the paint. Minnesota's defensive profile shows they allow plenty of rim attacks while ranking second in limiting three-point attempts, suggesting their game plan will emphasize perimeter containment. Anthony Edwards' status remains uncertain due to knee injuries, with expectations he'll either sit out or be severely limited early in the series , forcing the Timberwolves to rely on secondary scoring options like Julius Randle and role players who stepped up during their surprising first-round victory. The Spurs believe that as long as the ball and players move freely, scoring should come naturally despite Minnesota's strong individual defenders, making perimeter defense the critical battleground. The Timberwolves' inefficient free throw shooting at 75.3 percent could prove costly in a playoff series where possession matters , especially against a Spurs team that rarely beats itself with careless mistakes.