Gregg Popovich Spurs Head Coach Film Sessions Fuel Game 2 Response

Gregg Popovich sat in on the Spurs head coach film sessions after Game 1, following a one-point loss on Julian Champagnie’s missed buzzer beater. The response came fast in Game 2, where San Antonio built a 24-point halftime lead and stretched it to 40 early in the fourth quarter.

Popovich and Wembanyama

Matthew Tynan of Corporate Knowledge reported Popovich’s presence in the room as the Spurs reviewed the loss and made adjustments before Game 2. Victor Wembanyama put the lesson bluntly after Game 1: “you’re never as good as you think when you win and you’re never as bad as you think when you lose.”

That line fit the way San Antonio handled the next night. The Spurs limited Minnesota to 17 first-quarter points and just 35 at halftime, then pushed the margin to 29 points two minutes into the second half as Wembanyama, Castle and De’Aaron Fox each had 14 points.

Timberwolves Held in Check

Anthony Edwards finished with 12 points in 24 minutes, a short night for Minnesota’s top scorer. Julian Champagnie, who had gone scoreless in the first half after the missed Game 1 buzzer beater, answered with four three-pointers in the third quarter.

By early in the fourth, the Spurs were up 40 and the final 10 minutes turned into a long closing stretch for both benches. Jordan McLaughlin and Kelly Olynyk played the last 10 minutes of regulation, Lindy Waters III joined them with 8:23 left, and Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee entered for the final 3:12.

Game 3 in Minneapolis

Mitch Johnson said the defense showed “consistency, physicality, and contact” and added that the team was ready for the game despite losing home court advantage. The Spurs now head to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday night, carrying a series that changed sharply from a missed shot to a lopsided response.