Timberwolves Fall Short Despite Edwards’ 44 Points in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Minnesota Timberwolves faced a tough challenge Monday night as they took on the Cleveland Cavaliers, falling 128-107 despite Anthony Edwards‘ explosive performance, which saw him score 44 points after returning from a hip injury.

Edwards shined throughout the game, particularly with a remarkable 18-point third quarter, marking his third consecutive game scoring over 40 points—setting a franchise record. However, the Timberwolves struggled defensively against a Cavaliers team that currently holds the best record in the NBA.

The Timberwolves struggled out of the gate, managing only 12 points in the first quarter and tying the NBA record for the most consecutive missed shots at 16. Coach Chris Finch noted the team’s sluggish start, stating, “I didn’t like our toughness tonight, I didn’t like our offense at all.”

The Cavaliers capitalized on Minnesota’s slow start, scoring over 30 points in each of the first three quarters. Evan Mobley led Cleveland with 28 points, while Donovan Mitchell contributed 23. Cleveland shot an impressive 51% from the field and drained 17 three-pointers.

Despite Edwards’ scoring prowess, the Timberwolves could not keep pace. The team’s defense faltered, allowing Cleveland to take command early in the game. “They got offensive rebounds and made big shots,” Finch said. “We just didn’t respond well.”

Edwards’ standout performance included eight three-pointers, but outside of him, the Timberwolves struggled. Minnesota hit only 4 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc, finishing the game with a mere 17 assists compared to the Cavaliers’ 27.

Rudy Gobert attempted to stabilize the team with 14 points and 10 rebounds, but the Timberwolves fell victim to Cleveland’s offensive efficiency. In the end, Minnesota’s slow start and inability to stop the Cavaliers early proved too steep a hill to climb.

As the Timberwolves (30-24) assess their strategy moving forward, they’ll need to bounce back quickly, with the all-star break on the horizon and an important matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder looming.