Timberwolves Rally Late for Seventh Consecutive Victory Against Magic

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter on March 15, 2025, to defeat the Orlando Magic 118-111, extending their winning streak to seven games. Facing the league’s second-ranked defense, Minnesota showed resilience despite missing key players Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle for part of the final quarter.

After trailing 87-78 at the start of the fourth, the Timberwolves quickly turned the tide by going on a 15-3 run, outscoring the Magic 40-24 in the final quarter. Coach Chris Finch opted for a lineup featuring Mike Conley, Donte DiVincenzo, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Rudy Gobert, a strategy that paid off handsomely.

“The two MVPs of the night go to Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo,” Edwards remarked after the game. “We wouldn’t have won the game without them tonight.” McDaniels and DiVincenzo combined to score 16 points on perfect shooting in the final quarter, along with critical defensive plays that kept the Magic from converting their three-point attempts.

McDaniels finished the night with 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, with the majority of his scoring coming in the crucial fourth period. DiVincenzo added eight of his 14 points during the same stretch, showcasing not just offensive efficiency but also defensive prowess with key stops against the Magic’s perimeter shooters.

The Timberwolves’ scoring was further bolstered by Edwards, who contributed 28 points, and Randle, who added 22 points along with seven rebounds and five assists. Gobert recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Conley offered essential contributions, finishing with nine points and a plus-20 rating in 24 minutes.

Despite their winning streak, the Timberwolves remain in a tight seventh place in the Western Conference with a record of 39-29, trailing the Golden State Warriors by a handful of percentage points.

Finch noted that the team is overcoming the initial turbulence following the trade of star player Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks earlier this season, leading to the recent surge in performance. “At the beginning of the season, I think guys were all kind of worried about themselves,” he said, reflecting on the players’ transition post-trade. “Now, we’re learning to play together.”

The Timberwolves’ comeback from 11 points down in the fourth quarter demonstrated the team’s growing camaraderie and resilience, traits they struggled to showcase earlier in the season. This newfound synergy has allowed players like DiVincenzo to become vocal defenders, emphasizing a no-easy-basket mentality.

“There’s no easy layups, first and foremost,” DiVincenzo stated firmly, illustrating the aggressive defense he and his teammates have adopted. His block of a dunk attempt by Franz Wagner early in the fourth encapsulated the Timberwolves’ heightened defensive intensity.

Orlando, featuring a brilliant performance from Paolo Banchero who scored 43 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, faced challenges as their offensive efforts fell short in the final quarter. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley remarked on the Timberwolves’ pivotal fourth-quarter defense: “They jumped on us early in that fourth quarter… Then we were just playing uphill from there.”

Wagner struggled with just 16 points on 4-of-16 shooting. His inefficiencies were compounded by Minnesota’s defensive strategies aimed at disrupting Orlando’s rhythm. “They’re a great defensive team,” Banchero acknowledged, noting the Timberwolves’ ability to adjust and effectively guard key players.

As both teams look ahead, the Timberwolves’ victory solidified their late-season momentum, while the Magic, now 31-37, faced potential playoff implications stemming from their current road trip performance.

Each team’s performance will be critical as they continue their respective seasons, particularly as the Timberwolves aim for a playoff spot and the Magic strive for consistency in a challenging Eastern Conference landscape.