The Spurs-Timershows timeline spans over 30 years of NBA history and features some of the NBA’s most iconic players. Competing against the Timberwolves has been a tradition since the franchise joined the NBA in 1989, and it has been a tradition in various forms, such as David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Kawhi Leonard, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama. This game has been a one-way street for San Antonio. Shooting for years at a time and always at the playoffs, the Spurs created a lot of momentum for themselves. Minnesota has done better in recent years, however, and the game took on new significance when Minnesota and Seattle faced off in the Western Conference semifinals during the 2026 postseason. This article will provide complete information about San Antonio Spurs vs Timberwolves Timeline history, top players, statistics, playoff run & more.
San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves Rivalry
The Minnesota Timberwolves joined the NBA in 1989-90. This is because San Antonio was already a solid Western Conference team with superstar center David Robinson. The early meetings were heavily controlled by San Antonio. Minnesota was an expansion team so it took a few seasons to build a competitive team. The arrival of Kevin Garnett in Minnesota made all the difference. Garnett became a big offensive threat, rebounder and defender, and played a key role in the Timberwolves taking their place in the playoffs regularly.
The first time the two teams played was in the NBA playoffs in the 1998-99 season. San Antonio won the first round series, 3-1. They faced each other again in the 2000-01 playoffs and the Spurs picked up the victory again, 3-1. After a lengthy absence from each other in the playoffs, the two teams met again in the 2026 Western Conference semifinals. San Antonio took that series, 4-2.
| Category | San Antonio Spurs | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference |
| Division | Southwest Division | Northwest Division |
| Home Arena | Frost Bank Center | Target Center |
| First NBA Meeting | 1989-90 | 1989-90 |
| Regular-Season Games | 142 | 142 |
| Regular-Season Wins | 96 | 46 |
| Regular-Season Win Percentage | 67.6% | 32.4% |
| Playoff Games | 14 | 14 |
| Playoff Wins | 10 | 4 |
| Playoff Series | 3 | 3 |
| Playoff Series Wins | 3 | 0 |
| 2026 Playoff Result | Won 4-2 | Lost 2-4 |
Early moments of the Rivalry
The rivalry between the Spurs and Timberwolves dates back to 1989 when the Timberwolves joined the NBA. San Antonio was already a strong team and soon became the better team.
Minnesota did not get to the NFL until the 1990s, so they didn’t do too well in their early seasons. In many of the early matches San Antonio was at an advantage due to their experience, the better team and their coaching system.
It took a long time for the Timberwolves to get better, but after drafting Kevin Garnett in 1995, they slowly improved. Garnett would become the face of the franchise, and would lead Minnesota to a level of being a playoff contender from an expansion team.
1990s: Kevin Garnett Emerges
Kevin Garnett was one of the most well-rounded players in the NBA. He could score the ball from a variety of spots on the court, and was able to rebound and defend several positions, making him one of the toughest players in the West to guard.
David Robinson was the superstar of San Antonio. The Spurs stayed one of the top teams in the Western Conference, and eventually were a contender to the title.
In 1999, the competition finally made it to the playoffs. San Antonio beat Minnesota 3-1 in the first post-season series between the two teams.
2000s: The Spurs Dynasty
San Antonio had the 2000s pretty much all to itself. It was after that that Tim Duncan emerged as the star of the Spurs. Duncan got the company of Tony Parker and Manu Ginóbili, which made them one of the most successful duos in NBA history. The Spurs were difficult to beat due to their team chemistry, efficient offense, and disciplined defense in San Antonio. Kevin Garnett continued to play for Minnesota, and they would reach the Western Conference finals in 2004. Even with Minnesota’s victory, San Antonio continued to be one of the NBA’s best teams. The Spurs and Timberwolves faced off once again in the 2001 postseason. That series went 3-1 to San Antonio. The 2010s offer the perfect opportunity to see 1960s-era Duncan in the context of the rebuilding years of Minnesota.
2010 Duncan Era Meets Minnesota’s Rebuilding years
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili and Tony Parker were the core of the Spurs, and eventually Kawhi Leonard was formed into the next star of the game.
There were several periods of reconstruction for Minnesota during this decade. Prior to the team’s switch to a younger nucleus, Kevin Love was the team’s leading player.
Karl-Anthony Towns later went on to be the franchise centerpiece for Minnesota. San Antonio played for a playoff spot throughout the decade, while the Timberwolves were filled with ups and downs throughout the decade.
San Antonio Spurs vs Timberwolves Timeline (2010-2026)
Given below is the san antonio spurs vs timberwolves timeline
2010-11 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Jan. 11, 2011 | San Antonio Spurs | 107-96 |
| Jan. 9, 2011 | San Antonio Spurs | 94-91 |
| Dec. 3, 2010 | San Antonio Spurs | 107-101 |
| Nov. 24, 2010 | San Antonio Spurs | 113-109 (OT) |
2011-12 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Mar. 21, 2012 | San Antonio Spurs | 116-100 |
| Jan. 27, 2012 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 87-79 |
| Jan. 2, 2012 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 106-96 |
2015-16 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Mar. 8, 2016 | San Antonio Spurs | 116-91 |
| Dec. 28, 2015 | San Antonio Spurs | 101-95 |
| Dec. 23, 2015 | San Antonio Spurs | 108-83 |
2016-17 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Mar. 21, 2017 | San Antonio Spurs | 100-93 |
| Mar. 4, 2017 | San Antonio Spurs | 97-90 (OT) |
| Jan. 17, 2017 | San Antonio Spurs | 122-114 |
| Dec. 6, 2016 | San Antonio Spurs | 105-91 |
2017-18 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Mar. 17, 2018 | San Antonio Spurs | 117-101 |
| Nov. 15, 2017 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 98-86 |
2018-19 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Jan. 18, 2019 | San Antonio Spurs | 116-113 |
| Dec. 21, 2018 | San Antonio Spurs | 124-98 |
| Nov. 28, 2018 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 128-89 |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | San Antonio Spurs | 112-108 |
2019-20 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Nov. 27, 2019 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 113-101 |
| Nov. 13, 2019 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 129-114 |
2020-21 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Feb. 3, 2021 | San Antonio Spurs | 111-108 |
| Jan. 10, 2021 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 96-88 |
| Jan. 9, 2021 | San Antonio Spurs | 125-122 (OT) |
2021-22 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Apr. 7, 2022 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 127-121 |
| Mar. 14, 2022 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 149-139 |
| Nov. 18, 2021 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 115-90 |
2022-23 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Apr. 8, 2023 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 151-131 |
| Oct. 30, 2022 | San Antonio Spurs | 107-98 |
| Oct. 26, 2022 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 134-122 |
| Oct. 24, 2022 | San Antonio Spurs | 115-106 |
2023-24 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Feb. 27, 2024 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 114-105 |
| Jan. 27, 2024 | San Antonio Spurs | 113-112 |
| Dec. 6, 2023 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 102-94 |
| Nov. 10, 2023 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 117-110 |
2024-25 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Mar. 9, 2025 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 141-124 |
| Dec. 29, 2024 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 112-110 |
| Dec. 15, 2024 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 106-92 |
| Nov. 2, 2024 | San Antonio Spurs | 113-103 |
2025-26 Season
Minnesota has won two out of three regular season games.
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Jan. 17, 2026 | San Antonio Spurs | 126-123 |
| Jan. 11, 2026 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 104-103 |
| Nov. 30, 2025 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 125-112 |
Spurs and Timberwolves 2026 Playoff Series
Minnesota won the first, but then San Antonio rallied to win four of the next five. The Spurs would go on to win the series in Game 6 with a 139-109 win.
| Game | Date | Winner | Score |
| Game 6 | May 15, 2026 | San Antonio Spurs | 139-109 |
| Game 5 | May 12, 2026 | San Antonio Spurs | 126-97 |
| Game 4 | May 10, 2026 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 114-109 |
| Game 3 | May 8, 2026 | San Antonio Spurs | 115-108 |
| Game 2 | May 6, 2026 | San Antonio Spurs | 133-95 |
| Game 1 | May 4, 2026 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 104-102 |
The Spurs won the series 4-2 and kept their perfect playoff-series record against Minnesota.
Spurs Head to Head Timberwolves
| Statistic | Spurs | Timberwolves |
| Regular-Season Games | 142 | 142 |
| Regular-Season Wins | 96 | 46 |
| Regular-Season Win Percentage | 67.6% | 32.4% |
| Playoff Games | 14 | 14 |
| Playoff Wins | 10 | 4 |
| Playoff Series Wins | 3 | 0 |
| 2026 Playoff Result | Won 4-2 | Lost 2-4 |
Spurs vs Timberwolves Statistical Comparison
| Category | Spurs | Timberwolves |
| Points Per Game | 102.8 | 98.3 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 47.1% | 44.9% |
| Three-Point Percentage | 36.6% | 37.0% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 43.4 | 41.6 |
| Assists Per Game | 24.2 | 22.5 |
| Blocks Per Game | 6.2 | 5.0 |
Memorable Games
Minnesota 128-89 San Antonio, 2018
On November 28, 2018, Minnesota came up with an overwhelming 39-point victory over San Antonio. It is still one of the most memorable Timberwolves wins in the series.
Minnesota 149-139 San Antonio, 2022
In March 2022, the Timberwolves exploded on the offensive end for 149 points against San Antonio.
Minnesota 151-131 San Antonio, 2023
Minnesota once again reached the 150-point mark in April 2023, defeating the Spurs 151-131.
San Antonio 125-122 Minnesota, 2021
In January 2021, the Spurs enjoyed another great overtime victory. The 122-125 ruling was a testament that despite San Antonio’s historical edge, the contest may still be close.
San Antonio 139-109 Minnesota, 2026
In Game 6 of the 2026 Western Conference semifinals, the Spurs put on a performance that was among their best in awhile. San Antonio came out with a 4-2 series win with the 30-point win.
Conclusion
The San Antonio Spurs vs Timberwolves Timeline date back over 30 years in NBA history and multiple generations of superstars. For a long time, San Antonio had a tough time in the rivalry, especially when the David Robinson and Tim Duncan were in charge.
Minnesota was more competitive during Kevin Garnett’s time and has evolved into a better Western Conference team around Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. More balanced games have been seen this past few seasons, with the Timberwolves winning out on multiple regular-season series.
The largest chapter in recent years has been in the 2026 playoffs. In the Western Conference semifinals, San Antonio won over Minnesota 4-2, as well.
Victor Wembanyama is leading the way for San Antonio and Anthony Edwards is leading the way for Minnesota, so the competition now has two young superstars who will dictate its destiny. The games they play in the coming weeks may be some of the most pivotal of the next generation of Western Conference games.
FAQs
A1. The Spurs are the better team. They have the most games won in their regular-season series, 96-46, in favor of Minnesota.
A2. Yes. The teams have played in the playoffs three times. San Antonio won the series in 1999, 2001 and 2026.
A3. The San Antonio Spurs were 4-2 in the 2026 Western Conference semifinals.
A4. On November 28, 2018, Minnesota was downed by San Antonio by a 39-point score, 128-89.
A5. In Game 2 of the 2026 Western Conference semifinals, San Antonio downed Minnesota by a score of 133-95.
A6. Victor Wembanyama is San Antonio’s big young man and Anthony Edwards is Minnesota’s starting modern-day superstar. Some of their upcoming encounters may shape the next chapter in this rivalry.
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