Julius Randle delivered one of his strongest performances of the season Wednesday night, scoring 41 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 133-109 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center. The victory kept Minnesota fifth in the Western Conference at 34-22 and ended Portland’s three-game winning streak.
The forward controlled the offense from the opening half, finishing 14-of-24 from the field and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line while adding seven rebounds. His windmill dunk late in the game highlighted a night in which Minnesota consistently generated efficient looks in transition and in the half court.
Jaden McDaniels added 21 points and six assists, providing secondary scoring and defensive activity on the wing. Rudy Gobert contributed 17 points and eight rebounds, anchoring the paint as the Wolves shot 52 percent overall and built advantages through interior touches and spacing.
Anthony Edwards, listed as questionable earlier because of illness, started and scored 14 points with four made three-pointers. Minnesota’s starting group established rhythm early, taking a 61-51 lead into halftime after McDaniels’ floating jumper capped a strong second quarter.
The game turned decisively in the third period when Edwards and Randle hit back-to-back three-pointers to spark a 16-2 run. Gobert’s dunk pushed the margin to 79-59, forcing Portland into rushed possessions and exposing turnover issues.
The Trail Blazers committed 25 turnovers, which Minnesota converted into transition opportunities and extra possessions. Portland shot 43 percent from the field and 36 percent from three, but struggled to maintain offensive structure against Minnesota’s pressure.
Jrue Holiday led the visitors with 23 points and five assists, while Scoot Henderson added 18 points in just his third game back from a hamstring injury. Deni Avdija finished with 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting, and the absence of Shaedon Sharpe due to a left calf strain limited Portland’s perimeter depth.
Despite trailing by 13 late in the third quarter, the Blazers closed to 96-82 entering the fourth, yet could not sustain a comeback. Minnesota’s bench, led by Naz Reid’s 11 points and Ayo Dosunmu’s 12, maintained pace and prevented any late momentum swing.
The Timberwolves entered the game following a 138-116 win over Atlanta, showing improved offensive flow heading into the All-Star break. Minnesota has now won consecutive games and continues to apply pressure in a crowded Western Conference playoff race.
Portland dropped to 26-29, remaining near the play-in line in the standings. The Trail Blazers travel to Utah on Thursday, while Minnesota returns home to face Dallas on Feb. 20.
