NBA Final Score - Timberwolves 144, Kings 117: Edwards Sacrifices Sacramento
The Minnesota Timberwolves took on the Sacramento Kings in a Sunday game during the first half of a quick road back-to-back. Both teams came into this matchup with contrasting recent performances: the Wolves had crushed the Utah Jazz by 40 points just two days earlier, while the Kings suffered a heavy 31-point loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Game Start and Key Moments
Anthony Edwards struggled initially, missing all five of his first shot attempts. However, he bounced back explosively with 26 points, leading Minnesota’s dominant performance against Sacramento. The Timberwolves wore their striking retro black tree jerseys, with Rudy Gobert making an immediate impact. Gobert blocked a jumper by Domantas Sabonis—who had recently returned after missing two games—grabbed the loose ball, and completed a coast-to-coast layup. He maintained a perfect 4-for-4 shooting performance and recorded three blocks in the first quarter alone.
Early Contributions and Team Dynamics
Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle provided early offensive support for the Kings, helping stabilize the game despite Edwards' slow start. Minnesota led only 31-25 after the first period, largely due to Sacramento’s efficient shooting from beyond the arc, hitting six of eleven three-point attempts. However, Sacramento’s offense continued to rely heavily on isolation plays and one-on-one possessions, which hindered their ability to keep pace.
"Rudy Gobert made sure to do justice to the retro tree jerseys, opening the game with a block, loose ball recovery, and coast-to-coast finish."
Minnesota's defensive intensity and depth helped them maintain a strong lead and ultimately hand the Kings a decisive defeat.
Summary
The Timberwolves dominated the Kings through a combination of strong defense and a scoring surge from Anthony Edwards, who overcame a poor start to fuel Minnesota’s commanding win.
Author’s summary: Anthony Edwards' turnaround fueled a dominant Timberwolves win over the Kings, showcasing Minnesota’s defensive strength and Sacramento’s reliance on isolation basketball.