The Minnesota Timberwolves clinched a season sweep against the Portland Trail Blazers with a 119-114 during Monday’s NBA action, moving into a tie for first place in the Western Conference.
Rudy Gobert led the Timberwolves with 25 points and 16 rebounds, marking his 43rd double-double of the season. Michael Conley contributed 19 points and seven assists, underscoring Minnesota’s dominance in the conference and their strong performance at home.
“It was a point of emphasis for us coming into the season,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said before the game of handling lower-ranked teams.
Despite a packed schedule, the Timberwolves demonstrated resilience and depth. Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and Naz Reid played significant roles in the victory, with Reid shooting a perfect 4-4 from the 3-point line. The Timberwolves have performed exceptionally against Western Conference opponents and maintained one of the league’s best home records.
“We absolutely had to have this one,” said Finch, emphasizing the importance of the win following recent setbacks.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Gobert’s presence was especially felt, with impactful plays and aggressive performance that highlighted his importance to the team.
“I just tried to be more patient,” said Gobert. “The last few games, I felt like I wasn’t being aggressive enough. … Tonight, (I decided) to be aggressive and be more decisive.”
The Trail Blazers, despite the high-scoring efforts of Anfernee Simons and Duop Reath, could not overcome the Timberwolves’ concerted team effort. Portland faced challenges with a depleted roster, missing several key players due to injuries.
“Rudy was super locked in today,” Conley said. “Super efficient, super dominant – that’s what we need out of him.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
An unexpected start saw Edwards joining the game late, which led to Alexander-Walker starting and contributing significantly to the Timberwolves’ success.
“I lost track of time,” Edwards explained regarding his delayed entry into the game.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers are set to begin a six-game homestand against Oklahoma City, while the Timberwolves embark on their longest trip of the season, starting at Indiana. This victory solidifies the Timberwolves’ position in the conference and sets a high standard for their upcoming games.
