Jaden McDaniels delivered a career-best performance with 27 points, including a clutch free throw in the final seconds, as the Minnesota Timberwolves edged the Dallas Mavericks 115-114 on Wednesday night. The victory improved Minnesota’s record to 23-21, tying Dallas for seventh place in the Western Conference standings.

Anthony Edwards added 21 points for the Timberwolves, who saw six players score in double figures. Mike Conley chipped in a season-high 18 points, including two critical free throws with 11.8 seconds remaining to give Minnesota a three-point lead.

Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 36 points, surpassing the 18,000-career-points milestone, becoming the 81st NBA player to achieve the feat. P.J. Washington Jr. contributed a season-high 30 points, but the Mavericks’ comeback fell short despite Irving’s running three-pointer at the buzzer.

Dallas struggled with a depleted roster, missing multiple key players, including Luka Doncic, who remains sidelined with a calf strain since late December. The Mavericks announced pregame that center Dereck Lively II has a stress fracture in his right ankle and will be reevaluated in a month.

McDaniels showcased his versatility throughout the contest, hitting a critical three-pointer to halt Dallas’ momentum after Irving’s late-game heroics brought the Mavericks within a point. He also collected eight rebounds and four blocks.

The Timberwolves, relying on a tight eight-man rotation, capitalized on balanced scoring. Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points and six rebounds, while Naz Reid added 12 points off the bench. Minnesota’s starters combined for 96 points, showcasing their efficiency with a 45.7% shooting performance from the field.

Dallas, despite the absence of several key players, outscored Minnesota 66-48 in the paint and shot an impressive 50% overall. However, their three-point shooting woes continued, converting just 27.6% from beyond the arc. The Mavericks’ bench provided key support, with Maxi Kleber scoring 10 points in limited minutes.

Minnesota’s defensive effort was a deciding factor, with McDaniels and Gobert combining for seven blocks. The Timberwolves also capitalized on Dallas’ 13 turnovers, turning them into 15 points. Conley’s calm leadership in the final moments, including two crucial assists and perfect free-throw shooting, sealed the victory.

For Dallas, the loss marks their 11th in 15 games since Doncic’s injury. Despite Irving’s dominant scoring performance and Washington Jr.’s emergence, the Mavericks remain vulnerable without their franchise centerpiece. The team now faces a tough stretch with limited depth and several players sidelined.