SAN ANTONIO —
Recap
The shorthanded Spurs started out in a 6-0 hole, but Keldon Johnson helped bring them back. The bench unit hasnt been San Antonio's strongest group in the first few games of the season, but Doug McDermott came in scorching hot and hit a few threes to put his team in front.
Rookie Malaki Branham made his NBA debut, scoring his first points on a pair of free throws. The Spurs led Minnesota 26-23 after the first quarter.
Blake Wesley was beginning to make an impact in his second NBA game when he banged his knee and came out of the game, not to return. Keita Bates-Diop started the game in place of Jeremy Sochan, and got hot in the second quarter. He hit a three, then Branham, then Johnson as San Antonio went up by double digits.
The Timberwolves fought back, but Keldon finished a huge jam and McBuckets drained another three to give the Spurs a 57-47 lead at the break.
San Antonio came out swinging to start the second half, opening on a 9-0 run that included another three and another dunk from Keldon Johnson. San Antonio went up 19.
The Wolves slowed the run, but Zach Collins and McDermott each hit threes to push the lead back to 19. McDermott hit two more triples in the quarter, and Keldon added another as the Spurs led 85-70 heading to the fourth.
Minnesota was determined to not go quietly, and opened on a 14-2 run. Tre Jones ended it with a three, and KBD helped keep the Spurs in front as well. Keldon played well through bumps and bruises, and McDermott hit his seventh triple of the game to tie his career high.
The last few minutes were chippy and choppy. Anthony Edwards got a layup with 4:39 to go, making it 102-94. The defenses tightened up, and nobody scored until Keldon hit a deep three with 26 seconds to play.
Johnson finished the game with 25 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 makes from three, leading the Spurs to a 107-98 win and a 5-2 start to the season.
McDermott added 23 off the bench, KBD had 18 in the start, and Tre Jones added 10 points and 8 assists.
San Antonio shot 16-40 from deep, and they assisted on 27 of their 36 made baskets.
Photos
PHOTOS: Spurs take care of Timberwolves 107-98
Pregame
The San Antonio Spurs (4-2) will look to get their second-straight win tonight as they will host the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-2) tonight at the AT&T Center. The Spurs are 1-1 this season versus Minnesota this season.
San Antonio's injury report filled up ahead of tipoff, with four rotation players out due to various injuries and illnesses.
Before the game, Gregg Popovich was asked multiple questions about the circumstances of Josh Primo's release and the reports that the now former Spur had exposed himself to multiple women, including a former Spurs employee. Popovich declined to comment beyond the team's brief statement when they waived him on Friday.
GAME REWIND
The Spurs are coming off a 129-124 win against the Bulls.
Keldon Johnson had 33 points and three rebounds to lead the team while Jakob Poeltl added 21 points and 13 rebounds. Tre Jones finished with 11 points, Jeremy Sochan recorded 13 points, and Josh Richardson finished with 12 points and six assists.
"We stuck to our game plan, we executed, and we got the win. The Bulls are a great team. They have great players," said Johnson. "We went out there and just executed and did what Pop told us to do."
SPURS, WOLVES INJURY REPORT
Richardson, Vassell, and Sochan will be out of action tonight against Minnesota. Isaiah Roby was a late scratch as well, with the Spurs citing flu-like symproms.
THE UNIFORMS
The Spurs will be in their Association Edition jerseys.
5 THINGS TO WATCH:
1. The Spurs are fifth in the league in three-point percentage at 39 percent.
2. The Spurs are eighth in Offensive Rating in the NBA at 115.9.
3. The Spurs are third in the NBA in PACE at 103.4.
4. The Spurs lead the NBA in assists per game at 31.8.
5. The Timberwolves are fourth in the NBA in PACE at 103.1 and is on a two-game win streak.
Stay here at KENS 5 throughout the season for complete Spurs coverage.
Twitter: @KENS5, @JeffGSpursKENS5