Anthony Edwards returned to Minneapolis on Friday night with the All-Star Game MVP trophy in tow—and he played like a man determined to add another accolade to his growing collection. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ young star poured in 40 points, leading his squad to a 122-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Target Center. The win marked Minnesota’s third straight, while Dallas stumbled to its tenth consecutive loss, their longest losing skid in nearly three decades.
From the opening tip, the Timberwolves looked like a team eager to make a statement. Donte DiVincenzo wasted no time, drilling three 3-pointers in the first six minutes and racking up nine points in just over five minutes. The fast start propelled Minnesota to a 40-25 lead after one quarter, and the Target Center crowd could sense something special brewing. Naz Reid, coming off the bench, added to the early fireworks with a highlight-reel dunk late in the first frame—dribbling behind his back before launching a thunderous right-handed slam over Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford. As the first half wound down, the Timberwolves had stretched their lead to 17, and the Mavericks looked like they might be run out of the building.
But Dallas, battered by injuries and adversity, refused to fold. Missing star rookie Cooper Flagg—sidelined by a sprained left foot for a second straight game—along with Max Christie, Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Caleb Martin, the Mavericks fielded a patchwork lineup. Khris Middleton, the veteran forward acquired to add scoring punch, led Dallas with 18 points, while Marvin Bagley III contributed a double-double off the bench with 15 points and 13 rebounds, including a remarkable seven offensive boards. Naji Marshall also chipped in 15 points, helping to spark the Mavericks’ comeback efforts.
After trailing by 12 at halftime (69-57), Dallas came out of the locker room with renewed energy. They outscored Minnesota 15-6 to start the third quarter, cutting the lead to just three points, with Marshall asserting himself on both ends. Yet, every time the Mavericks threatened, Minnesota had an answer. Edwards, who scored 17 of his 40 points in the third, helped the Timberwolves reestablish control, and they entered the final quarter up by 10.
The fourth quarter, though, was a rollercoaster. With the Timberwolves ahead 101-91, Dallas launched a 7-0 run, capped by Bagley’s shot clock-beating three-pointer from the top of the key. A Rudy Gobert dunk momentarily stopped the bleeding, but Klay Thompson’s triple and Tyus Jones’ runner tied the contest at 103 with 6:55 remaining. Suddenly, the Mavericks had erased an 18-point deficit and the Target Center crowd was holding its breath.
But this was Edwards’ night. The All-Star MVP responded immediately, draining a step-back three to reclaim the lead. Less than a minute later, Naz Reid nailed another triple, and the Timberwolves never looked back. Edwards was relentless down the stretch, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter and seven in the final two minutes and 27 seconds—including a floating jump shot, a pull-up from the elbow, and a corner three. The Timberwolves closed the game on an 11-4 run, snuffing out any hopes of a Mavericks upset.
“He just took over,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said after the game, marveling at Edwards’ poise and shot-making in crunch time. “That’s what great players do.”
Rudy Gobert, who finished with 22 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks, was a force on both ends. However, his night wasn’t without controversy—he was assessed a flagrant foul in the second quarter after striking Bagley during a battle for a rebound. The infraction put Gobert over the league’s season limit for flagrant fouls, meaning he’ll serve an automatic one-game suspension for Sunday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers unless the NBA downgrades the call. “It’s frustrating, but I have to be smarter,” Gobert admitted postgame, acknowledging the impact his absence could have in the next contest.
Naz Reid’s 21 points off the bench provided a crucial spark for Minnesota, while Julius Randle chipped in 13 points despite an off shooting night (4-for-15). DiVincenzo’s early barrage set the tone, and the Timberwolves’ 8-for-13 start from beyond the arc in the first quarter underscored their offensive rhythm.
On the Dallas side, Middleton’s steady scoring and Bagley’s hustle stood out, but the Mavericks’ lack of depth due to injuries was glaring. With Flagg, Irving, Lively, Gafford, Martin, and Christie all sidelined, coach Jason Kidd had to dig deep into his bench. The Mavericks’ 10-game losing streak is their longest since the 1997-98 season, and the frustration is starting to show. “We keep fighting, but we just can’t get over the hump,” Middleton said. “It’s tough, but we have to stick together.”
Despite the loss, there were silver linings for Dallas. Bagley’s performance, particularly his work on the offensive glass, was a bright spot. “Marvin’s effort was outstanding,” Kidd noted. “He’s given us everything he’s got.” The Mavericks have also been competitive in close games all season—no NBA team has played in more clutch contests or lost more of them this year. Some fans and analysts are starting to wonder if Dallas should embrace the tank and focus on draft positioning, but Kidd remains committed to competing every night.
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, continue to build momentum as they chase playoff positioning in the Western Conference. They now lead the regular season series against Dallas 3-0 and have a favorable schedule ahead, with upcoming home games against the 76ers, Kings, Grizzlies, and Thunder. Minnesota’s only concern is Gobert’s looming suspension, but with Edwards in All-Star form and the bench contributing, the Wolves look poised for a strong finish to the season.
As for Dallas, the road doesn’t get any easier. They’ll travel to Indiana to face the Pacers on Sunday before heading to Brooklyn for a Tuesday matchup with the Nets. With the roster still in flux due to injuries, the Mavericks will need all hands on deck to snap the skid. For now, the streak continues—and so does the search for answers in Big D.