The 2026 NBA Playoffs delivers another fascinating Western Conference semi-final battle, this time pitting one of the league’s most exciting young teams against a battle-hardened, physical side.
The San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves will fight for a place in the Western Conference Finals, one step away from the NBA Finals. Fans of both sides will certainly have their predictions, but GiveMeSport has fed the data into a Supercomputer to see how the series will play out.
The data has been fed into a Supercomputer for its verdict on this Western Conference semi-final clash.
In the previous round, the Spurs handled the Portland Trail Blazers in five games, looking composed throughout and rarely troubled. The only moment of concern for the Spurs was when their star player, Victor Wembanyama, left their Game 2 loss with a concussion. Having sat out Game 3, the Spurs still managed to win by 12 points and then put themselves in the record books upon his return in Game 4, becoming the first team in NBA playoff history to trail by 15 or more points at half-time and still win the game by at least 15 points.
The Timberwolves, by contrast, had to play an extra game in their first round series against the Denver Nuggets, eventually coming through 4-2, but paying a huge physical price in doing so. The towering figure of Rudy Gobert was the real difference-maker in the series, with his teammate Jaden McDaniels describing the Frenchman as a “Hall of Fame Defender,” and earning series MVP honours.
Spurs-Timberwolves Round 2 Schedule
Game 1
San Antonio
May 4th
Game 2
San Antonio
May 6th
Game 3
Minnesota
May 8th
Game 4
Minnesota
May 10th
Game 5*
San Antonio
May 12th
Game 6*
Minnesota
May 15th
Game 7*
San Antonio
May 17th
*- If required
The physical toll of Minnesota’s series with Denver started to show in Game 4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota’s best player and primary shot creator, is expected to miss the start of the series with a knee injury, while Donte DiVincenzo, a player who started all 82 regular-season games for the ‘Wolves, tore his Achillies, ending his season and potentially next season as well.
Losing both of those players strips the Timberwolves of significant shot creation and late-game offensive options. For San Antonio, the injury report is considerably cleaner, with rotation player David Jones out for the season, which only adds to their advantage heading in.
Supercomputer’s Prediction
The Supercomputer’s case for San Antonio begins as most conversations about this team do, with Victor Wembanyama. The 22-year-old has recently become the NBA’s first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, and he’s a finalist in the voting for League MVP.
The match-up against Rudy Gobert is the headline chess match of the series, and it’s one that heavily favours the Spurs. Wembanyama’s perimeter skill forces Gobert to defend in space, an environment the 33-year-old has never been comfortable in. Every time Wemby pulls Gobert away from the basket, driving lanes open up for De’Aaron Fox and last season’s Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle. That combination alone could be enough to take the series.
Then there’s the rest and depth advantage. San Antonio closed out Portland in five, rested their key players in the final stages, and arrive fresh. The Timberwolves have just been through a war with Denver and they have some significant scars. By Games 5 and 6, that difference in legs and depth carries real importance.
Edwards Could be the Key to All Hope For Minnesota
This series isn’t without hope for the Wolves, though. Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle give Minnesota a physical, defensive edge that can make this ugly. Grinding the pace down, winning rebounds, and turning it into a half-court battle is their path to pulling off the upset.
If they can slow San Antonio’s pace and limit transition opportunities, the Spurs become a different and less dangerous proposition. The biggest variable of all, though, is Edwards. If he returns earlier than expected and looks explosive, the entire complexion of the series changes.
The game was immediately halted after the incident…
A healthy Ant-Man changes what Minnesota can do offensively and makes this a far more competitive match-up. If Gobert can also dominate the glass and limit second chances, the ‘Wolves have a fighting chance. If Fox struggles against Minnesota’s perimeter length, the Spurs’ primary engine stalls.
For the time being, though, the Spurs take the series 4-2. The health disparity is simply too difficult to ignore, and Wemby’s match-up advantage over Gobert is a problem Minnesota have no clean answer to. Then again, neither does the rest of the league. Until Edwards is back on the floor and clearly himself, the Timberwolves are fighting with one hand tied behind their back, and even then, it’s realistic to assume that won’t be enough.
Yan Diomande’s early coach Faissal Chehade explains why Liverpool could be the perfect fit, and why his ceiling may be Ballon d’Or level.
Chehade, who worked with Diomande at Leganés, reveals on Market Madness what stood out from the very beginning: the confidence, the one-v-one ability, the training-ground moments that made coaches take notice, and the mentality behind his rise from rejection across Europe to becoming one of the most talked-about young players in world football.
He also breaks down why Leipzig was the right step, why Liverpool could give Diomande the platform to become “the main man,” and why he believes the winger has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
Chapters:
0:09 — Yan Diomande’s First Coach Reveals the Talent
2:07 — The Training Goal That Made Everyone Stop
3:36 — Why Yan Diomande Was Rejected Across Europe
4:21 — Why Leipzig Was the Perfect Move for Diomande
4:55 — Why Liverpool Could Be Yan Diomande’s Perfect Fit
8:02 — Yan Diomande’s Ballon d’Or Ceiling Explained
It looks as though a banned European nation is set for a return to FIFA competition, with reports suggesting they’ll be allowed to compete at an international tournament as soon as October.
The ban, which has run for more than four years, has kept senior, youth and women’s sides out of competitive matches, including the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, as well as the 2024 Euros.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously hinted at softening his stance, and it now appears children’s football could provide the route back into the fold, starting with a new under-15 competition this autumn.
Gianni Infantino Pushes For Russia’s Reintroduction
Infantino has been vocal about wanting Russia back involved, arguing the suspension has done more harm than good. Speaking earlier this year, he said:
“We have to, because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred. Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.”
That stance appears to be translating into action, with reports indicating Russia and Belarus are among the nations set to feature at FIFA’s inaugural under-15 World Cup and Festival, running from October 22nd to the 31st, in Azerbaijan.
FIFA confirmed all 211 member associations have been invited, stating: “The first edition will be open to boys’ teams from all FIFA member associations; the second installment in 2027 will feature girls’ teams only. From 2028 onwards, all member associations will be invited to participate with both their boys’ and girls’ U-15 teams in two separate competitions.”
A Symbolic Tournament for Gianni Infantino
The event has taken on added significance for Infantino, who’s also pushed for Israel and Palestine to meet in a symbolic opening fixture. After an attempted handshake between officials from both nations fell flat in April, Infantino referenced the same tournament while appealing for unity:
“We have a beautiful under-15 tournament coming up, where we will invite all 211 countries to participate, all the children of the world, let’s do it for that. Let’s work together. You have my commitment, you have the support of the whole room.”
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Whether Russia’s inclusion goes further than football at junior level is something that hasn’t yet been addressed, but the door appears to be opening.
Pele was an extraordinary footballer. He made his senior debut for Brazil at just 16 years old and marked the occasion with a goal against Argentina. Only a year later, he netted twice in a World Cup final, helping Brazil secure World Cup success.
Pele spent the majority of his club career with Santos in Brazil before later joining American outfit New York Cosmos. As a result, he never featured for a European club. However, that did not stop him from following football on the continent.
Indeed, he once identified a Scottish football legend as the only British player he believed was good enough to represent the Brazil national team.
When he passed away at the age of 85 in January 2025, tributes poured in from across the football world. Among those leading the condolences was legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Trying to place Denis in the pantheon of all-time greats is a challenge.
“But it is made easier by Pele. He was asked if there was a British player who could get in the [great] Brazil team. He said Denis Law – which is a fantastic tribute.”
“He was a fantastic player and an incredible human being. The great thing is that he did not use his fame, he was so level-headed and down to earth, and we are talking about a guy who had all of these caps for Scotland and is called the ‘King of Old Trafford’.”
It was certainly a fitting tribute from two football icons to a truly exceptional player.
Pele Also Rated English Defender Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore 1966 World Cup
Law was not the only British football great admired by Pele. The Brazilian also had immense respect for England’s World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore. He said:
“It’s hard to say. You see, whoever I played against, I had the best defender marking me, but the best were Bobby Moore and Franz Beckenbauer.”
He later added: “Bob was the best centre-back I’ve seen – so quick up here [points to his head].”
It’s unfortunate that British supporters did not get the opportunity to watch more of Pele in person. Nevertheless, when he arrived in England for the 1966 World Cup, he was already the most famous footballer on the planet, allowing local fans to witness his brilliance first-hand. Unfortunately, injuries limited his impact, and Brazil exited the competition in the first round after playing only three matches.
