LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Victor Wembanyama scored 39 points as the San Antonio Spurs overcame a magical career-high 55-point display from Anthony Edwards to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-123 in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Saturday.

French prodigy Wembanyama was backed by 25 points from De’Aaron Fox in a high-scoring heavyweight duel against the Edwards-inspired Timberwolves.

Minnesota had clawed their way back from a 25-point half-time deficit, with Edwards leading an astonishing second half fightback that included 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Timberwolves edged into a 119-118 lead with just over a minute remaining.

But Wembanyama and Fox reasserted themselves down the stretch, and the Spurs hung on for a win that sees them improve to 28-13 to remain second in the West.

Fox said the hard-fought nature of the San Antonio win would stand them in good stead in the later stages of the season.

“We’re playing in a lot of grind it out games, not just blowing teams out,” Fox said. “That does help you in the long run of being used to playing in games like this.”