NBA: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves cruise past Wizards

Anthony Edwards scored 35 points, while Rudy Gobert added 18 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks as the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 141-115 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Playing the second game of a back-to-back, the Timberwolves led for nearly the entire matchup, extending their advantage to as many as 37 points. Minnesota scored at least 33 points in every quarter, setting the pace with a 38-point first period.

The third quarter was particularly dominant for Minnesota. Washington briefly cut the lead to 13 points early in the period, but the Timberwolves responded with a 21-9 run to close out the quarter.

Washington had entered the game on a high note, holding the Brooklyn Nets to just 99 points in Friday’s home game, one of its best defensive performances of the season. On Sunday, however, the Wizards struggled to contain Minnesota’s interior scoring. The Timberwolves outscored Washington in the paint 76-48, offsetting their 11-of-37 (29.7%) performance from three-point range and earning 27 free-throw attempts compared to 19 for the Wizards.

Edwards also contributed six rebounds, three assists, and four steals, fueling Minnesota’s defensive pressure that forced 19 Washington turnovers. Jaden McDaniels, Jaylen Clark, and Donte DiVincenzo each added three steals to help the Timberwolves convert turnovers into 26 points, doubling the Wizards’ 13 points off turnovers. Minnesota also held a 51-35 edge on the boards.

Julius Randle joined Edwards and Gobert in double figures with 22 points, while McDaniels finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Clark added 12 points off the bench.

CJ McCollum led Washington with 20 points, while Tre Johnson and Corey Kispert contributed 13 each. Khris Middleton added 10 points, but the Wizards fell short in their bid for a third consecutive win this season.

—Field Level Media/Reuters