Anthony Edwards made sure the Timberwolves wouldn’t need the play-in tournament. The All-Star guard exploded for 43 points, including 18 in a decisive third quarter, as Minnesota defeated Utah 116-105 Sunday to clinch the Western Conference’s No. 6 seed.
Edwards, who had his 18th technical foul rescinded before the game, shot 7-of-18 from three-point range to finish the season with an NBA-leading 320 made threes. His scoring outburst helped Minnesota outscore Utah 40-28 in the third.
Rudy Gobert dominated inside with 19 points and 18 rebounds against his former team, while Donte DiVincenzo added 16 points off the bench. The Timberwolves (49-33) secured their first-round matchup against the third-seeded Lakers.
Utah (17-65), playing without 10 rotation players, set a franchise record for losses behind Brice Sensabaugh’s team-high 22 points. The Jazz secured the NBA’s worst record and best lottery odds (14% for No. 1 pick) after Washington’s last-second win over Miami.
Minnesota enters the playoffs as one of the league’s hottest teams, going 17-4 since March 1. Their third-quarter surge Sunday turned a 49-48 halftime lead into a comfortable advantage they never relinquished.
The Timberwolves will open their first-round series in Los Angeles against the Lakers this weekend, avoiding the play-in gauntlet thanks to Edwards’ brilliance.
