The Minnesota Timberwolves by no means gave themselves an opportunity. Anthony Edwards and the group set themselves up for failure with a disastrous begin in Monday’s 128-107 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Edwards snapped the Wolves’ 0-for-16 first quarter drought, drilling a three-pointer with slightly below three minutes left within the first quarter. He did all the pieces he may to spark a comeback, ending with a game-high 44 factors for his third straight 40-point efficiency. Edwards grew to become the primary participant in Timberwolves historical past to document three consecutive 40-point video games and the primary within the NBA to take action this season, sustaining a blistering scoring tempo.
Earlier than him, Devin Booker was the final to perform this from January 24-28, 2024. Edwards checked out with 4:45 remaining and his group down by 26, ending 13-for-28 from the sphere with eight three-pointers.
However Edwards additionally dedicated seven turnovers and picked up one other technical foul whereas heading to the locker room at halftime—his twelfth of the season. With 16 technicals leading to an computerized one-game suspension, he is now simply 4 away from that threshold.
The Minnesota Timberwolves tough begin in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Minnesota’s begin wasn’t simply tough—it was traditionally dreadful. The Timberwolves went scoreless for the primary 7 minutes and 4 seconds earlier than Rudy Gobert lastly put them on the board with a free throw.
Their first area aim took even longer, as they misfired on their first 16 makes an attempt. They grew to become the primary group to open a recreation 0-for-16 because the Philadelphia 76ers endured a equally frigid begin in 2004. By the top of the primary quarter, Minnesota confronted a 30-12 deficit.
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On high of their ice-cold taking pictures and seven-minute scoreless drought, the Timberwolves coughed up the ball 5 occasions within the opening quarter. One notably tough stretch featured back-to-back careless turnovers. In transition, Terrence Shannon Jr. pressured a cross to Anthony Edwards that sailed out of bounds. On the next possession, Naz Reid and Edwards miscommunicated, resulting in an errant cross and a backcourt violation.
Edwards’ historic evening wasn’t sufficient to counter Cleveland’s balanced offensive assault. Evan Mobley led the best way with a team-high 28 factors, 10 rebounds, six assists, and 4 blocks, inflicting fixed issues for the Wolves on each ends. He wasn’t alone, although—Donovan Mitchell added 23 factors and eight assists, Darius Garland chipped in 17, Ty Jerome supplied 15 off the bench, whereas Jarrett Allen and De’Andre Hunter contributed 14 and 12, respectively.
All 5 Cavaliers starters completed in double figures, and the group dominated inside with 56 factors within the paint.
Robust schedule forward for Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves
Edwards has been on a scoring tear, averaging 38.8 factors per recreation in February, and Minnesota has wanted each little bit of his manufacturing as they gear up for a demanding end to the month. Their upcoming slate options three conferences with the first-place Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, together with showdowns in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets.
The Timberwolves return house to face the Bucks on Wednesday, a must-win with Giannis Antetokounmpo out attributable to a calf pressure.