In a thrilling game that went down to the wire, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Sacramento Kings 117-115 in Sacramento’s season opener Thursday night. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s final push by sinking two clutch free throws with 2.4 seconds left on the clock, breaking the tie and capping off a 32-point performance.
Julius Randle, in just his second game with Minnesota after joining from New York, was pivotal in the Timberwolves’ success, leading with 33 points on an efficient night. The duo of Edwards and Randle combined for 65 points, helping Minnesota recover from a season-opening loss to the Lakers on Tuesday night.
Keegan Murray had a chance to clinch the game for Sacramento with a buzzer-beating 3-point attempt, but the shot rimmed out, sealing the win for Minnesota. Murray contributed 23 points and 11 rebounds, joining DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis in double figures for Sacramento. DeRozan led the Kings with 26 points in his debut after a summer sign-and-trade from Chicago, while Sabonis added 24 points.
Minnesota’s decisive moment came midway through the fourth quarter when Edwards and Naz Reid hit back-to-back 3-pointers as part of an 11-0 run. This shifted the Timberwolves from a five-point deficit to a six-point lead, establishing momentum as the clock wound down. Reid played a significant role off the bench, scoring 19 points and securing 13 rebounds.
For the Timberwolves, this win marked an improvement in shooting from beyond the arc, a notable shift from their opening game struggles. Minnesota shot 20-for-50 from 3-point range, following a 13-for-41 effort against the Lakers. Over the two games, the Timberwolves have now attempted a franchise-high 91 3-pointers to start the season.
On the Kings’ side, Domantas Sabonis displayed his offensive prowess with 24 points, complementing his eight rebounds and an assist. Sacramento’s depth came into play with Malik Monk, who scored 17 points off the bench. However, the Kings struggled to hold their lead in the final quarter, as Minnesota’s defensive adjustments and offensive surges took control.
Randle’s assertiveness was evident throughout, particularly as he bounced back from a quieter debut in Los Angeles, where he took just 10 shots. Thursday’s game saw Randle step up as a key scoring option alongside Edwards, who also showed his clutch abilities with late-game composure.
