On Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves faced off against the Sacramento Kings, and what turned out to be one for the books, the game culminated with the Timberwolves edging out the Kings 130-126 even as the Kings' De'Aaron Fox launched himself onto the scoreboard with a spectacular performance, netting 60 points. This score not only marked Fox's career high but also set a new franchise record, surpassing the 59 points previously held by Jack Twyman for the Cincinnati Royals back on January 15, 1960.
Fox didn’t just stop at eclipsing his personal best; he did so with remarkable efficiency. He converted 22 of his 35 attempts from the field and hit six shots out of ten from beyond the arc. His efforts, though dazzling, came against the backdrop of the Timberwolves, who were on the brink of losing their fourth game straight. They managed to snatch the win, putting them back on track and quelling their recent woes.
Throughout the evening, the Timberwolves initially maintained control, leading by 20 points at one juncture during the third quarter. Yet, as the game progressed, the Kings relentlessly clawed their way back. Fox was instrumental during the final stretch of the game, scoring nine points and spearheading what became a thrilling 14-0 run for Sacramento at the start of the fourth quarter. His clutch shooting allowed the Kings to seize their first lead of the game at 101-100 with just over seven minutes to go.
With the game tied at 115 at the end of regulation, the contest went to overtime. Here, Anthony Edwards stepped up for the Timberwolves, scoring seven of his total 36 points during the extra period. This included the go-ahead basket with just 14 seconds left on the clock, which proved to be the decisive play of the game.
Statistically, the Timberwolves found themselves rebounding from earlier struggles, particularly evident from the three-point line. After shooting poorly against the Portland Trail Blazers, which saw them manage only 17.9 percent from deep, they improved to 40.8 percent on Friday, hitting 20 of 49 attempts. This marked a significant turnaround for Minnesota.
Besides Edwards’ standout performance, Julius Randle provided solid support with 26 points, and Naz Reid contributed 16. The game also featured contributions from Mike Conley and Jaden McDaniels, each chipping in 14 points. Rudy Gobert recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The impressive performance of Fox was not without its challenges, as he played an entire game with the Kings missing two key players: Malik Monk, due to an ankle injury, and DeMar DeRozan, who was sidelined with lower back tightness. Despite the loss, Fox made history as the 13th player ever to score 60 points or more and not walk away with the win, highlighting the sometimes cruel nature of the NBA. Domantas Sabonis also had noteworthy contributions with 23 points and 12 rebounds, continuing his streak of double-doubles.
After the intense encounter, the Timberwolves can take solace knowing they broke their three-game losing streak. It’s clear they’ll need to build off this win, especially with tougher competition on the horizon. This game has certainly ignited their season, sparking hope not just for the squad but for their devoted fans as well.
