Anthony Edwards put on a show Thursday night, scoring 44 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves triumphed 141-125 over the Memphis Grizzlies in a pivotal Western Conference showdown. His explosive performance propelled the Timberwolves to a crucial victory, which kept them in the hunt for a top-six playoff spot.
Edwards was at the forefront of a dominant second half, particularly in the third quarter, where he scored 18 of his total points. The Timberwolves set a franchise record with 52 points in the period, marking the highest-scoring quarter in the NBA this season. Minnesota shot a remarkable 85.7% from the field in that frame, making 18 of 21 attempts.
When asked about his mindset entering the game, Edwards credited his focus and determination. “I just got the sense,” he said. “Every game we play, 82 games, is a big game, but tonight was like Mike said, a must-win, pretty much. So I just had that sense, and when I get that sense, it’s ugly for anybody.”
Mike Conley, who has been a key presence alongside Edwards in the Timberwolves’ backcourt, echoed that confidence. The pair combined for 52 points and 12 assists, with Conley contributing nine dimes. Despite a quiet night on the scoreboard, Conley’s playmaking was crucial in setting up Edwards and his teammates.
The Timberwolves’ success in the third quarter was driven by Julius Randle’s stellar performance. He added 31 points and 10 rebounds, with 14 of those points coming in the explosive third period. Randle’s timely scoring was key as Memphis struggled to find a defensive matchup for him, particularly when Jaren Jackson Jr. got into foul trouble.
Edwards praised his teammate’s effort, saying, “He was incredible, man. Playmaking, shot-making, everything—defense, rebounding, pushing the tempo.”
On the other side, the Grizzlies had a tough night despite strong individual performances. Ja Morant led Memphis with 36 points, but his efforts were overshadowed by the Grizzlies’ defensive breakdowns. Memphis shot over 50% from the field and 3-point range, but turnovers (15 in total) and poor rebounding (41-33) allowed the Timberwolves to capitalize on fast breaks and extra possessions.
Desmond Bane added 28 points and 9 assists for the Grizzlies, while Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 23 points. However, Memphis couldn’t recover from Minnesota’s onslaught in the third quarter, where they were outscored 52-25.
The Timberwolves’ offense was firing on all cylinders, finishing the game shooting 55.2% overall, 45.5% from deep, and 89.3% from the free-throw line. Rudy Gobert also contributed efficiently, making all five of his field-goal attempts for 13 points and 8 rebounds.
With the win, Minnesota (47-33) is now tied with the Grizzlies (47-33) and Golden State (47-33) for the No. 6 seed in the West, with two games remaining. Edwards emphasized the importance of closing out the season strong, saying, “We’ve got to finish this thing strong.”
The victory came at a crucial time for Minnesota, who needed a bounce-back performance after a few disappointing results. Edwards, who has been the Timberwolves’ focal point all season, showed why he is considered one of the league’s brightest young stars.
