On Tuesday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves briefly looked stronger than the Dallas Mavericks but ultimately stumbled, resulting in a 120-114 defeat. Minnesota dominated in the first quarter but was outscored 67-48 over the next two, failing to mount a comeback in the fourth, marking their second loss of the season. Here are five takeaways from the game.
Anthony Edwards’ Impressive Start
Anthony Edwards started strong with 24 points in the first quarter, hitting 8 of 10 from the field and 6 of 8 from three. He ended with a game-high 37 points but cooled off afterward, missing further three-pointers until the fourth quarter. Edwards also tied Naz Reid for the most turnovers (5), an area the Timberwolves need to address. Despite the setbacks, Edwards has been outstanding this season, scoring 120 points over four games—the most in Minnesota’s history for a season start. Notably, 58.9% of his 90 attempts have been from three-point range, which NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor highlights as more frequent than former MVP James Harden.
The Impact of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving
Minnesota lacks a duo as potent as Dallas’s Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Edwards holds his own, and Julius Randle is emerging as Minnesota’s second option, though he doesn’t match the Mavericks’ stars. Irving led Dallas with 35 points, with 25 after halftime, and Dončić scored 24 points despite a knee tweak that affected his shooting. Even if one struggles, the other can carry the team. In contrast, Minnesota relies heavily on Edwards’ performance, raising questions about who will step up if he has an off game. The Wolves will need a defensive strategy for backcourts as strong as Dallas’s.
Struggles with Interior and Transition Defense
The absence of Karl-Anthony Towns may explain the Timberwolves’ reduced rim protection. Rudy Gobert is often isolated in the paint, which the Mavericks exploited early, with 16 of their first 17 points coming inside. Fastbreak defense is also an issue, as Minnesota has been outscored in transition in all four games, allowing easy baskets. Edwards spoke with Wolves Insider Dane Moore, saying, “I probably play a part in that too… just immature stuff,” acknowledging areas he could improve, including rim defense.
Turnovers
Turnovers were a significant issue, with Minnesota setting a season-high 20 giveaways, leading to 25 points for Dallas. Every Timberwolves player turned the ball over at least once, with Edwards and Reid leading with five each. Combined with poor interior and transition defense, turnovers are a major source of frustration.
Offensive Rebounding
Although the Mavericks only had one more offensive rebound than Minnesota, they grabbed critical boards late in the game. Coach Chris Finch highlighted the importance of missed rebounding opportunities in key moments, stating, “The dagger shots at the end… are super painful.”
