MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 118-111 on Friday night, securing their seventh consecutive victory.
Down 90-82 with just over 10 minutes left, the Timberwolves erupted with a 13-0 run, taking the lead at 95-90. Donte DiVincenzo ignited the run with a reverse layup and capped it with another reverse layup followed by a driving floater.
Despite the Timberwolves’ push, the Magic fought back, tying the game at 98 with 3:32 remaining. But Minnesota responded with nine successive points, keeping their momentum alive as they aim for playoff positioning.
Julius Randle contributed to the Timberwolves’ win with 22 points, alongside DiVincenzo’s 14 points and Rudy Gobert’s double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Their performance propelled Minnesota to improve to 19-14 at home and 20-15 overall on the road.
Paolo Banchero, meanwhile, showcased his scoring prowess for Orlando, finishing the night with 43 points and 11 rebounds. His efforts, including 16-of-32 from the field, made him the game’s standout player, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory for the Magic. They entered the matchup coming off a solid 113-93 win against New Orleans on Thursday night, but fell short against the Timberwolves.
By the end of the third quarter, the Magic were leading 87-78. Yet the Timberwolves responded emphatically, outscoring Orlando 40-24 in the fourth quarter. Naz Reid, known for his hustle, made key layups, positioning Minnesota to regain the lead at 91-90 with just over eight minutes left.
It was DiVincenzo’s back-to-back shots around the seven-minute mark, which increased the Timberwolves’ lead to five points. After Banchero’s basket tied the game again at 98, Edwards hit a decisive three-pointer to reclaim the lead for Minnesota at 101-98.
Randle followed with a slam dunk, and Jaden McDaniels added another dunk, extending the Timberwolves' lead to 107-98 and effectively sealing the game. The Timberwolves are now deeply entrenched in their playoff push, currently battling Golden State for the sixth spot in the Western Conference, making each victory increasingly significant.
Looking forward, the Timberwolves will host the Utah Jazz on Sunday night, March 16, 2025, seeking to extend their winning streak to eight. The Magic, on the other hand, will head to Cleveland on the same day, aiming to recover from their loss and regain their standing as they sit eighth in the Eastern Conference.
With the backdrop of increasing competitiveness, the Timberwolves have demonstrated not just skill, but resilience, making fans hopeful for what lies ahead this season.
Based on gameplay statistics, Minnesota shot effectively, achieving 52.5 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from beyond the arc, underscoring their well-rounded offensive strategy. Conversely, the Magic completed 44.9 percent of their shots and made 42.9 percent from three-point range. The performance metrics reflect both teams' intensity as the season progresses.
Despite Banchero's dazzling display, marked by multiple offensive rebounds and key shots, the Timberwolves' late-game execution solidified their victory, highlighting their determination to succeed this season. This game not only marks another significant win but captures the Timberwolves' mounting confidence as they chase playoff contention.