Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards dropped 44 points on Thursday night, leading his team to a dominant 141-125 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in a critical Western Conference clash. The performance was not only a testament to Edwards’ scoring ability but also to the mental preparation instilled by his trainer.
During an on-court interview after the game, Edwards shared how his trainer had been sending him daily Michael Jordan videos. “C Hines, my trainer, told me to blackout tonight, so I tried to do that,” Edwards explained. “He sent me MJ videos every day about blacking out. MJ said something like, ‘why would I worry about a miss if I haven’t taken the shot yet?'”
Edwards’ focus was evident as he posted a spectacular 18-point third quarter, helping the Timberwolves set a franchise record for points in a quarter with 52. The team shot an impressive 85.7% in that frame, hitting 18 of 21 attempts, as they broke open what had been a tightly contested game. Edwards finished 13-for-19 from the field, 7-for-11 from three-point range, and a perfect 11-for-13 from the free-throw line.
The Timberwolves (47-33) entered the game tied with Memphis and Golden State for the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference, making the win essential for postseason positioning. With just two games remaining, this victory gave Minnesota a much-needed boost.
Julius Randle added 31 points and 10 rebounds, playing a crucial role in the Timberwolves’ explosive third-quarter run. Randle’s 14 points during the period helped fuel a 26-5 surge that featured 17 consecutive unanswered points. Rudy Gobert also contributed with 13 points and 8 rebounds, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.
The Grizzlies (47-33) were unable to capitalize on strong individual performances from Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Morant scored 36 points, including five three-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Memphis’ defensive struggles. Bane added 28 points and 9 assists, while Jaren Jackson Jr. chipped in 23 points. Despite shooting over 50% from both the field and beyond the arc, the Grizzlies committed 15 turnovers, which led to 23 Timberwolves points.
Minnesota’s efficiency on offense was remarkable, as they shot 55.2% overall, 45.5% from three-point range, and 89.3% from the free-throw line. The Timberwolves also out-rebounded Memphis 41-33 and hit 20 threes in the win. Edwards and veteran Mike Conley combined for 52 points and 12 assists, with Conley adding 9 assists despite scoring only 7 points.
