SAN ANTONIO — Keldon Johnson took his seat at the podium after the game and interrupted the first question with a question of his own.

“That’s the No. 1 team in the West, right?” the San Antonio Spurs forward asked.

Johnson’s Spurs entered the night with the worst record in the Western Conference, trailing by as many as 15 points before defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-112 on Saturday, just as Johnson had asked. . Tied for the best record in the Western Conference.

Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama implored the crowd to shout as the final buzzer sounded at Frost Bank Center as the Spurs notched back-to-back home wins for the first time this season.

“This is the best win we’ve ever had,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

Wembunyama said that if this wasn’t the best win, it was the victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on December 15, which broke the team’s 18-game losing streak.

“But it’s definitely a good thing and I think tonight we have to be proud of what we did and get used to that feeling so we can repeat it,” Wembanyama said.

The Spurs trailed by 15 points in the first half and trailed by 10 entering the fourth quarter, but started the final frame with a 13-2 run to take the lead with 8:42 left. The game remained a one-possession game until Wembanyama’s 3-pointer gave the Spurs a five-point lead with 1:55 left.

Spurs had a chance to put some distance between them in the final seconds, but they faltered. With 49.7 seconds left in the game, Wembanyama missed two free throws, and Anthony Edwards tied the score at 112 with a layup on the ensuing possession.

The Spurs missed a layup to take the lead, but while scrambling for an offensive rebound, Johnson was fouled. He hit one of two free throws to give Minnesota a chance to take the lead.

On the Timberwolves’ final possession, the Spurs double-teamed Edwards after he crossed halfcourt and he found Karl-Anthony Towns on the left wing. With Wembanyama defending, Towns stepped back to create space and attempted a winning three-pointer, but his shot hit the front of the rim.

“Everybody was scrambling to make things happen,” Johnson said of the Spurs’ defense in the final game.

“We played for each other, we played together, and as a team we stepped up and played great games,” Johnson said. “So, down the stretch, we stopped and that’s the most important thing. That’s the big moment. That’s the big moment. We did it together.”

Devin Vassell, who scored a team-high 25 points, said he could see the team starting to change and turn things around after a rough start to the season.

“I think we’re growing and maturing,” Vassell said. “Sometimes when teams are running, we put our heads down and almost get beat. Basketball is a running game. So right now, we’re just hanging on. We’ve played 48 minutes.”

Venbanyama scored 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. He was +14 in 8:36 of the fourth quarter.

This is the first time back-to-back races have been held since November last year. He has missed at least half of the Spurs’ last four back-to-back games, missing three games since he began playing on limited minutes after spraining his ankle three times in 12 days.

Popovich said Wembanyama’s playing time limit could end soon. Wembunyama said his body is feeling “as good as we can ask for” after back-to-back games, and he said he knows the team will handle what comes next wisely.

“I think that’s something we need to focus on over the next 15, 20, 30 games,” Wembanyama said. “We’ll see. I don’t think I’ll be playing 45 minutes anytime soon.”