MINNEAPOLIS – Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a commanding 116-93 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. Gobert, returning from a game missed due to left hip soreness, notched 24 points and 17 rebounds, while Towns contributed 23 points, shooting a perfect 3 of 3 from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves took full advantage of an undermanned and fatigued Portland team, which was reeling from a historic 139-77 defeat to Oklahoma City the previous night. The duo of Gobert and Towns was particularly effective, combining for a remarkable 16 of 19 shooting from the field.
Gobert emphasized the unique dynamic between him and Towns, focusing on their shared goal of winning and setting aside individual egos. The Timberwolves shot an impressive 55% as a team and limited the Trail Blazers to just 39% shooting.
Minnesota also welcomed back Mike Conley, who had nine points and 10 assists after resting a game. Anthony Edwards added nine points for the Timberwolves, who improved their strong home record to 14-3 this season. The efficiency of Gobert, Edwards, and Conley allowed them to rest during the fourth quarter.
Karl-Anthony Towns spoke about maintaining professionalism and upholding the team’s standards, regardless of the opponent’s form. Duop Reath led the scoring for Portland with 14 points, while Jerami Grant added 13 points. The Trail Blazers ended a challenging seven-game road trip, losing six of the seven games.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged the difficulty of the road trip, exacerbated by injuries. The Trail Blazers were without DeAndre Ayton, missing his tenth game with right knee tendinitis, and Shaedon Sharpe due to adductor soreness. Malcolm Brogdon returned off the bench but couldn’t offset the team’s struggles, and leading scorer Anfernee Simons had a tough night with just five points.
The victory was crucial for Minnesota, regaining the top spot in the Western Conference amid recent offensive struggles and a high turnover rate. Despite committing 16 turnovers against Portland, the Timberwolves’ overall performance was too strong for the Trail Blazers to challenge.
Minnesota’s fast start, leading by 22 in the first quarter, set the tone for the game. The Trail Blazers briefly narrowed the gap in the second quarter, but the Timberwolves extended their lead to 36 in the fourth.
Portland’s road woes were evident throughout their trip, with six losses by at least 21 points. Their only win came in an overtime game against Brooklyn.
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers will face Phoenix at home on Sunday, while the Timberwolves host the Los Angeles Clippers. The Timberwolves’ win highlights their potential when firing on all cylinders, particularly with the impactful performances of Gobert and Towns.
