Edwards Scores 41 as Timberwolves Edge Trail Blazers 118-114

PORTLAND, Ore. — Anthony Edwards scored 41 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 118-114 in their season opener on Wednesday night at the Moda Center.

Edwards, who averaged 27.6 points last season and had been questionable due to back spasms, started and led the Timberwolves to a comeback victory. Portland had taken a 46-40 lead midway through the second quarter, thanks to a 3-pointer from Jerami Grant.

However, Edwards quickly responded with a dunk, regaining momentum for Minnesota. The Timberwolves finished the first half trailing by just four points, 61-57, and consistently narrowed the gap throughout the second half.

With 3:36 remaining in the game, Edwards drained a crucial 3-pointer to give Minnesota a 108-107 lead. Another 3-pointer from Edwards pushed their advantage to 114-112, and Rudy Gobert sealed the game with a dunk just seconds before the final buzzer.

“I just wanted to be aggressive,” said Edwards after the game. “We knew we had to push hard in that fourth quarter to take control.”

Besides Edwards, Gobert contributed significantly with 19 points, while the Blazers were led by Grant, who scored 29 points off the bench. Deni Avdija added 20, and Shaedon Sharpe finished with 15.

Portland played without star guard Damian Lillard, who is sidelined with an Achilles injury, and guard Anfernee Simons, who is out with a hamstring tear.

Tom Dundon, the owner of the Carolina Hurricanes, was present at the game, discussing an ongoing purchase of part of the franchise that still requires approval by the NBA Board of Governors.

The Timberwolves will face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, while Portland looks for their first win against the Golden State Warriors on the same night.