NBA Final Score - Timberwolves 144, Kings 117: Edwards Dominates Sacramento
The Minnesota Timberwolves started their quick back-to-back road trip on Sunday in Sacramento against the Kings. Coming off contrasting performances two days earlier, Minnesota had crushed the Utah Jazz by 40 points, while Sacramento was dealt a heavy 31-point defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Game Overview
Minnesota donned their iconic retro black tree jerseys, with Rudy Gobert setting the tone early. Gobert blocked a jumper from Domantas Sabonis, who had just returned from a two-game absence, grabbed the loose ball, and finished with a coast-to-coast layup. He shot a flawless 4-for-4 and recorded three blocks in the opening quarter alone.
Despite early efforts by Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle for Sacramento, the Kings were limited as Anthony Edwards, in his first full game wearing the tree jerseys, initially struggled by missing all five of his field goal attempts. Sacramento led only slightly at 31-25, helped by connecting on six of 11 three-pointers, but their reliance on isolation play hindered their consistency.
Anthony Edwards' Breakout
After the slow start, Edwards exploded for 26 points, driving the Timberwolves to a decisive victory over the Kings. His scoring surge overwhelmed Sacramento, turning the game decisively in Minnesota's favor.
"Anthony Edwards exploded for 26 points to pound the Kings into a pulp."
Key Performances
- Rudy Gobert: Perfect 4-for-4 shooting, 3 blocks in first quarter.
- Anthony Edwards: 26 points after an 0-for-5 start.
- Sacramento Kings: Relied heavily on one-on-one possessions but couldn't match Minnesota's intensity.
Summary
The Timberwolves leveraged strong defense and a dominant offensive run from Edwards to secure a commanding win in Sacramento, despite a shaky start.
Author’s summary: Anthony Edwards overcame an early shooting slump to deliver 26 points, leading the Timberwolves to a strong road win against the Kings marked by Gobert’s defensive impact and Minnesota’s cohesive play.