MINNEAPOLIS – Anthony Edwards’ scintillating 44-point performance powered the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 118-110 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. Rudy Gobert’s double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds further solidified Minnesota’s dominance at home, improving their impressive home record to 13-1 this season.
Dallas faced a significant setback, missing star player Luka Doncic, sidelined due to left quadriceps soreness. This absence was acutely felt, especially considering the Mavericks’ recent 113-110 loss to Cleveland. Additionally, Kyrie Irving’s continued absence with a right heel contusion further depleted Dallas’ offensive arsenal.
The Timberwolves, seizing this opportunity, initially established a comfortable 18-point lead in the first quarter. Edwards, in an aggressive offensive display, accounted for 14 of those points, exploiting the gaps in Dallas’ defense. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 10 points, playing a crucial role in the team’s overall performance.
Despite their early dominance, Minnesota’s vulnerability surfaced through 22 turnovers, which Dallas capitalized on to score 29 points. This allowed the Mavericks to stay within striking distance, fueled by Tim Hardaway Jr.’s remarkable 32 points off the bench and Jaden Hardy’s 17-point contribution.
The game’s pivotal moment came midway through the third quarter, with the Timberwolves trailing by a point. Sparked by Edwards, Minnesota embarked on a decisive 15-3 run, regaining control and maintaining the lead for the remainder of the match.
Hardaway, undeterred by the Timberwolves’ surge, continued his impressive scoring spree, notching 18 points in the second half. His precision from the field (11 of 19) and beyond the arc (5 of 11) kept Dallas in contention.
However, Minnesota’s resilience shone through in the fourth quarter. As Dallas narrowed the gap to four points, Kyle Anderson stepped up, hitting consecutive three-pointers to ensure the Timberwolves stayed ahead.
Upcoming Fixtures
The Mavericks, looking to rebound from this setback, face a challenging encounter against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves, buoyed by this victory, prepare to host the Los Angeles Lakers on the same day, aiming to continue their formidable form at home.
