The Minnesota Timberwolves returned from the All-Star Break in style on Friday night, dispatching the Dallas Mavericks 122-111 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The win, powered by a dazzling 40-point performance from Anthony Edwards, not only marked the Timberwolves’ third straight victory over Dallas this season but also extended the Mavericks’ losing streak to a painful ten games. For Minnesota, now sitting at 35-22, the result keeps them firmly in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, while Dallas, at 19-36, finds themselves staring down a long road ahead.
With the NBA’s return to NBC and Peacock, fans were treated to a matchup that, at least on paper, seemed heavily tilted in Minnesota’s favor. The Timberwolves entered the contest as 13.5-point favorites, boasting a 19-10 home record, while the Mavericks limped in with a 5-18 road mark and a roster missing key contributors. Cooper Flagg (foot) and Max Christie (ankle) were both ruled out ahead of tipoff, and Kyrie Irving remained sidelined with a knee injury. The Mavericks’ injury woes forced head coach Jason Kidd to dig deep into his bench, giving opportunities to AJ Johnson and rookie Miles Kelly as the team looks ahead to the future.
The Timberwolves wasted no time asserting their dominance. Dressed in their Prince-inspired City Edition jerseys, Minnesota erupted for 40 points in the opening quarter, fueled by a torrid 8-for-13 shooting display from beyond the arc. Edwards set the tone early, pouring in 20 points in the first half and grabbing four rebounds. The Wolves’ offensive barrage, paired with relentless work on the glass, put Dallas on their heels from the outset. Rudy Gobert, in particular, feasted on the Mavericks’ undersized frontcourt, collecting five offensive rebounds in the first half alone and finishing the night with 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting and a game-high 17 rebounds.
Despite nine Timberwolves turnovers in the first half, Dallas couldn’t capitalize. The Mavericks trailed 69-57 at halftime, with Khris Middleton leading their charge with 12 points at the break. The Timberwolves’ ability to recover from their own miscues—thanks in large part to their dominance on the boards—kept the visitors at bay. By game’s end, Minnesota had out-rebounded Dallas 66-58 and pulled down a remarkable 17 offensive rebounds, exposing the Mavericks’ season-long struggles in that department.
Still, the Mavericks showed some fight coming out of halftime. Sparked by P.J. Washington and a timely three-pointer from the right corner, Dallas mounted a 24-8 run stretching from late in the second to the opening minutes of the third quarter. Washington, who finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds despite a rough shooting night (5-of-17 from the field), helped trim the deficit to just two points at 77-75 with 7:23 left in the third period. Klay Thompson, relatively quiet until late in the third, caught fire in the fourth, knocking down three triples and energizing the Mavericks’ bench. When Tyus Jones tracked down a missed Thompson three and scored to tie the game at 103 with just over six minutes remaining, it looked like Dallas might finally snap their losing streak.
But Edwards was having none of it. Out of a crucial timeout, he drilled a step-back three-pointer late in the shot clock to put Minnesota back in front for good. Naz Reid, coming off the bench, followed with his fourth triple of the night just a minute later, extending the lead to 109-105. Reid’s impact was felt throughout the game, as he tallied 21 points and seven rebounds, providing a vital spark when Minnesota’s offense briefly cooled. Donte DiVincenzo and Jaden McDaniels also chipped in with timely shooting, helping the Wolves maintain their cushion as Dallas threatened down the stretch.
"We just wanted to come out and set the tone early," Edwards told reporters postgame. "We know Dallas is dealing with some injuries, but that’s never an excuse to let up. Our focus was on playing our game, sharing the ball, and making sure we protected our home court." According to NBC Sports, Edwards has now scored at least 30 points in six of his last eight games, further solidifying his status as one of the league’s most dynamic young stars.
For Dallas, the loss was another tough pill to swallow. Khris Middleton paced the Mavericks with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Marvin Bagley III contributed 15 points and 13 boards. Rookie AJ Johnson, acquired at the trade deadline from Washington, logged five minutes in the first half and scored his first basket as a Maverick on a lob from Naji Marshall. Miles Kelly, another young prospect, saw action in the fourth quarter as Kidd and his staff continue to evaluate the roster for the season’s final stretch. "We’re trying to get a good look at our young guys," Kidd said before the game. "This is a chance for them to show what they can do and for us to see how they fit into our plans moving forward."
While the Mavericks’ ten-game skid has all but dashed their playoff hopes, there were at least some bright spots amid the gloom. The team showed resilience in battling back from a double-digit deficit, and the extended minutes for players like Johnson and Kelly could pay dividends as Dallas shifts its focus to development and the upcoming draft. P.J. Washington, though struggling with his shot, pulled down 12 rebounds and hit a pair of threes, perhaps hinting at better days ahead if he can regain his form from last season.
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, continue to build momentum as the postseason approaches. Their victory over Dallas not only extended their winning streak over the Mavericks to five games but also kept them within striking distance of the top seeds in the Western Conference. With Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert anchoring the frontcourt, and Edwards leading the charge on the perimeter, Minnesota looks poised to make some noise down the stretch. The team’s ability to shoot from deep (16-of-42 from three) and dominate the glass has become a trademark, and with a healthy roster, expectations are high in the Twin Cities.
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves will aim to capitalize on their favorable schedule and continue climbing the standings, while the Mavericks regroup and search for answers. As the NBA season barrels toward its final weeks, both teams find themselves at pivotal crossroads—one eyeing a deep playoff run, the other focused on growth and the future. For now, though, it’s the Timberwolves’ night to celebrate, and the Mavericks’ turn to regroup and look for a way out of their slump.