Julius Randle scored 30 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Charlotte Hornets 122-105 on Saturday night at Spectrum Center, snapping a two-game skid without Anthony Edwards.
Minnesota (3-3) entered the game looking to regain momentum after losses to Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers. Randle delivered efficiently, shooting 12-for-19 from the field and 3-for-6 from deep, while adding seven rebounds and four assists.
Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid each added 18 points, and Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points with 15 rebounds. Jaden McDaniels finished with 14 points, and veteran guard Mike Conley tallied six assists to keep the offense balanced.
The Hornets (2-4) led 56-50 at halftime behind strong play from Miles Bridges, who matched Randle with 30 points and eight rebounds. LaMelo Ball added 18 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, but Charlotte struggled to maintain its early rhythm.
Minnesota surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Hornets 36-18 to seize control. Randle scored nine points during the run, while DiVincenzo and Reid hit key perimeter shots to help the Timberwolves build a 12-point lead heading into the final period.
The visitors kept up their pace in the fourth, extending the margin to as much as 20 points. Minnesota’s bench contributed 33 points, led by Reid’s scoring and Rob Dillingham’s energy in 15 minutes near his hometown of Hickory, North Carolina.
The Timberwolves shot 54% overall and 47.2% from 3-point range, connecting on 17 of 36 attempts. DiVincenzo made five triples, while Randle, Reid, and McDaniels each added multiple long-range makes. Charlotte, meanwhile, hit only 28.9% of its 3-point shots.
This game marked the Hornets’ first outing since exercising team options on Brandon Miller and Tidjane Salaun. Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in 2023, remained sidelined with a left shoulder injury and missed his fourth consecutive game.
Gobert anchored Minnesota’s interior defense, limiting Charlotte’s scoring in the paint during the decisive third quarter. His rebounding and rim protection helped neutralize the Hornets’ attack, which shot under 40% for the night.
With Edwards still recovering from a hamstring strain, Randle’s leadership has proven crucial for Minnesota’s early-season stability. His presence in the frontcourt gave the Timberwolves a consistent scoring option while maintaining their defensive identity.
Minnesota continues its road trip Monday against the Brooklyn Nets, while Charlotte will try to end its three-game slide when it hosts the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
