On Christmas Day 2024, the Minnesota Timberwolves emerged victorious against the Dallas Mavericks, securing a 105-99 win. This anticipated game saw Anthony Edwards showcase his skills and leadership, leading his team to snap out of recent struggles.
The atmosphere was charged before the game; humor and levity were introduced with the unexpected appearance of The Grinch during warmups. Despite the playful prelude, the stakes were high for the Timberwolves, who aimed to redeem themselves after losing four out of their last five games.
Edwards wasted no time making his presence felt on the court. He started strong, scoring eight points during the first quarter, helping the Timberwolves gain a slim 26-24 lead. With his eye for the basket and confidence soaring, he contributed to building the Wolves’ momentum, shooting 50% from the field and 100% from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves took control early, bolstering their advantage as they headed to halftime with a commanding 17-point lead. The Mavericks struggled to respond, managing only 16 points before halftime. Edwards continued to shine—he scored five points quickly after the break and kept pushing his team's offense throughout the third quarter, where the Wolves scored 31 points to stretch the lead to 28 points at one point.
Things took a turn for the Mavericks when their star player Luka Doncic exited the game with a non-contact left calf injury. Before leaving, Doncic had made his mark with 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists, but his exit paved the way for the Timberwolves to exert their dominance.
Despite the Mavericks’ losing player, their resolve did not wane. Kyrie Irving led the charge for Dallas, scoring 39 points, including 15 during a frenzied fourth-quarter push. The Wolves faced pressure as they found their comfortable lead diminishing to just two points with under one minute on the clock.
Yet, Edwards came through when it mattered the most. He executed key plays to expand the scoreline by getting to the basket for a layup, which lifted the Timberwolves' lead back to four. Following this, he added another jumper off the glass, solidifying his team’s edge as the final seconds ticked away.
Edwards finished the game with impressive statistics, tallying 26 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Though Irving’s performance was the game’s highlight, Edwards’ contributions were equally significant. His leadership on the floor was instrumental, as he not only guided the Timberwolves' offense but showcased defensive resilience as well.
Other notable players for the Timberwolves included Julius Randle, who almost achieved a triple-double with 23 points, ten rebounds, and eight assists, alongside Rudy Gobert, who added 14 points and ten rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo also made notable contributions off the bench with 11 points.
This victory wasn’t merely about the numbers; it marked Anthony Edwards' Christmas Day debut, one filled with pressure and high expectations. Reflecting on the win, he noted the importance of tightening their grip on the game, emphasizing the need for the Timberwolves to reclaim their identity after recent struggles.
While the Mavericks put up a valiant fight fueled by Irving, the Timberwolves successfully held off the finals surge, maintaining composure to secure the win. Their performance could signal the beginning of momentum, especially as they seek to capitalize on this victory to steer back toward playoff contention.
Entering the post-game phase, Edwards's reflections include bold statements about the Timberwolves needing to work harder and find their rhythm as he pushed for improved consistency moving forward. Following this memorable Christmas performance against the Mavericks, the Timberwolves will need to sustain their competitive edge, but Edwards' efforts spotlight the potential for resurgence as the season progresses.
