Timberwolves Secure Playoff Position Despite Edwards’ Technical Dispute

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a vital 117-91 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, placing the team on the brink of a top-six finish in the Western Conference. Rudy Gobert matched his career-high with 35 points and collected 11 rebounds, while Julius Randle added 21 points for the Timberwolves, who improved to 48-33 on the season.

The Timberwolves have fought to establish themselves among the playoff contenders, winning critical tiebreakers with several teams battling for positioning. However, the celebration was slightly muted as Anthony Edwards picked up his 18th technical foul of the season late in the second quarter, leading to an automatic suspension for the team’s next game.

Despite the technical foul, Edwards had a rough night, scoring just nine points and hitting only one of seven attempts from beyond the arc. Earlier in the week, he thrived with a 44-point performance at Memphis. The suspension looms significant as Minnesota prepares for its final game against the Utah Jazz, which they must win to secure a top-six seed.

“I tried to play good defense. They called a foul, and I said, ‘What was the f’ing foul?’ and he gave me a tech,” Edwards explained post-game, expressing hope that the league would review the incident.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch indicated he too lacked clarity on the call, stating, “I didn’t really get a good or clear explanation of why the technical occurred.” Crew Chief Bill Kennedy clarified that Edwards was penalized for using profanity directed at the official.

In a game dominated by Minnesota, Gobert thrived under the net, capitalizing on a weakened Nets frontcourt featuring many rookies. Gobert shot 13 for 17 from the field and made nine free throws, showcasing his effective interior presence throughout the night.

The Timberwolves began the game sluggishly, trailing 9-2 early. However, they rebounded quickly, kneeling down Brooklyn’s defense and outscoring them 26-7 in the first quarter. By halftime, Minnesota had extended its lead to 64-52.

A particularly impactful moment occurred midway through the second quarter when Edwards received the technical foul, potentially sidelining him for the season finale.

The second half saw Minnesota firmly in control as they outscored the Nets 27-14 in the third quarter, pushing their lead to 25 points. The fourth quarter saw diminished offensive output from the Timberwolves, but their defensive effort remained strong, consistently keeping the Nets at bay.

Keon Johnson led the Nets with 20 points and five rebounds, but their overall performance faced challenges with notable players resting on the bench, contributing to their worst season in eight years at 26-55.

The Timberwolves will look to clinch a playoff spot in their final contest on Sunday against the Jazz. With a win, they will avoid the Play-In tournament, aiming for a potentially favorable matchup in the playoffs.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 PM CT at Target Center, where the Timberwolves face a must-win scenario to finalize their postseason position.