Anthony Edwards scored a career-high 55 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Timberwolves but was unable to prevent a 126-123 defeat by the San Antonio Spurs.

Victor Wembanyama scored 39 points for the Spurs, completing a vital rebound in the final seconds, as his side closed out their second successive win.

The Spurs led by 25 points at half-time after producing their highest-scoring quarter in 39 years, before Edwards dragged his side back into contention.

The 24-year-old scored with 3:28 to play to put the Timberwolves 110-108 ahead, before Wembanyama’s shot tied the game.

In the late exchanges, Edwards missed one of two free throws, while Wembanyama scored one of his own, and the Timberwolves star couldn’t complete a three-pointer attempt from beyond half-court in the last moments.

Edwards is the fifth player to score 55 points in the NBA this season, one of whom, Nikola Jokic, also has the highest individual total with the 56 points he scored against the Timberwolves on Christmas Day.

It is the second time this month Edwards has beaten his personal record, after he scored 53 against the Detroit Pistons on 4 January.

The Pistons hammered the Indiana Pacers 121-78 in their Saturday game, leaving last season’s finalists at the foot of the Eastern Conference table, while defending champions the Oklahoma Thunder lost 122-121 to the Miami Heat.

The LA Lakers, who were missing star guard Luka Doncic, fell to a 132-116 defeat by the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Golden State Warriors completed their third win in a row with a 136-116 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.