Anthony Edwards delivered an impressive performance, scoring 20 of his 41 points in the final quarter as the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied after a lackluster first half, overcoming the struggling Washington Wizards 120-106 on Monday night.
Earlier in the day, Edwards faced a $50,000 fine from the NBA for an inappropriate gesture directed at an official during Saturday’s game against Memphis. Despite this distraction, the two-time All-Star showcased his talent, finishing the last quarter with 6 for 11 shooting and nailing 3 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc, ultimately transforming a close game into a more decisive victory.
In addition to Edwards, Julius Randle contributed 20 points along with 10 rebounds, while Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Timberwolves struggled with turnovers, committing 13 in the first half, and found themselves momentarily behind the Wizards in the third quarter before regaining control.
For Washington, Kyle Kuzma led with 22 points, and Jordan Poole added 20 in what marked the team’s seventh consecutive defeat.
In terms of takeaways, it was not the Timberwolves’ most polished performance, but they secured their fourth victory in five games and claimed their third straight win on the road. Following halftime, Minnesota tightened up offensively, committing only six turnovers compared to the first half.
The Wizards displayed some potential with their three-point shooting, which offers a glimpse into what their rebuilding process aims to achieve. They finished the night with a commendable 42.5% shooting rate from long range (17 of 40), with all five starters making at least two shots from beyond the arc.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Edwards executed a reverse layup and assisted Nickeil Alexander-Walker for a three-pointer on back-to-back possessions. This sparked a critical run of 16-2 midway through the fourth quarter, during which Edwards capped off the sequence by sinking a deep three-pointer from the right wing, prompting a timeout from the Wizards.
Notably, Minnesota significantly outperformed Washington in free throw attempts, converting 31 compared to Washington’s 15.
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves will be playing at home against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, while the Wizards prepare to host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
