Anthony Edwards had 36 points and 11 assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves extended their winning streak to five games with a 138-113 victory over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Thursday.
Edwards made 12 of 18 field-goal attempts, hitting 6 of 9 from 3-point range, in addition to blocking three shots.
The Timberwolves shot a blistering 61.3 percent from the field while going 21-for-38 (55.3 percent) from 3-point range.
Despite shooting 50.6 percent for the night, Utah couldn’t keep up with Minnesota in the second half while losing its eighth consecutive game.
Keyonte George topped six Jazz players in double figures with 23 points, making all seven of his shots from the floor and 7 of 8 free throws. Collin Sexton added 19 points, while John Collins and Jordan Clarkson each netted 16 points.
Minnesota rookie Rob Dillingham, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft, chipped in with career highs of 19 points and eight assists in a reserve role. Teammate Luka Garza scored a season-high 16 on 6-of-7 shooting.
Former Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Nickeil Alexander-Walker both played well in their old home. Gobert totaled 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four blocks, while Alexander-Walker produced 15 points and five assists.
Minnesota’s Julius Randle exited due to right groin soreness after playing 10 minutes and scoring six points. He didn’t return.
The Timberwolves overcame an early 15-point deficit to take a 57-53 halftime lead. Edwards helped blow the game open with 16 points in the third quarter as the Timberwolves seized a commanding lead by outscoring Utah 44-22 in the period.
Utah jumped all over Minnesota early on. Lauri Markkanen, who finished with 15 points, hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring. He capped a 25-10 opening burst with another trey against a Timberwolves team that looked weary from playing in Phoenix the previous night.
However, Minnesota finished the first quarter on a 12-4 run to pull within 31-27.
The Timberwolves leapfrogged the Jazz for their own double-digit lead in the second quarter as Naz Reid spearheaded an 18-2 run with three 3-pointers.
Utah scored the final five points of the second quarter, including Sexton’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer, to trim Minnesota’s lead to four at the half.
–Field Level Media
