Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 114-104 win against the Utah Jazz during Monday’s NBA action, showcasing his talent with a 32-point performance that included pivotal plays in the second half.
“He’s always been a guy who can really flip a game around,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “Knows when to raise it. Knows when to make the big play. Can sometimes make it out of nothing. But now he’s like way more polished with what he’s doing. He’s a little more composed, not rushing it as much.”
The Timberwolves faced challenges with Naz Reid sidelined due to a head injury after the first half, and the absence of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, Minnesota capitalized on turnovers to secure their second win against Utah in three days.
“The game really just came down to our inability to take care of the ball,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Updates
Collin Sexton and Lauri Markkanen led the team’s efforts, with Sexton scoring 24 points and Markkanen adding a double-double after returning from a six-game absence. However, John Collins also left the game due to a head injury, further impacting the Jazz.
Edwards’ electrifying dunk over Collins not only boosted the Timberwolves’ morale but also resulted in injuries to both players. “It gives me chills, man, because I always dreamed of dunking on somebody like that,” Edwards shared, reflecting on the highlight moment.
Despite dislocating his finger on the dunk, Edwards returned to the game, contributing significantly to Minnesota’s late-game surge that secured their victory.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Updates
Markkanen acknowledged his role in Utah’s struggles with turnovers, emphasizing the need for personal improvement despite his excitement to rejoin his teammates on the court.
“I was rushing some things and obviously turnovers cost us the game tonight,” Markkanen said. “I’ll take the blame for that. … But overall it was fun to be back out there with my teammates.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Updates
The game began with Utah taking an early lead, but Minnesota’s comeback tied the game by the second quarter. The Timberwolves’ resilience and Edwards’ standout performance ultimately led them to overcome the Jazz’s initial advantage.
As the Timberwolves prepare to host Denver and the Jazz look ahead to their game against Oklahoma City, both teams aim to build on their experiences from Monday’s clash.
