The Timberwolves broke open a close game with a dominant third quarter and rolled to a 117-94 win.
Minnesota beat Toronto 117-94, using a 35-15 third quarter to turn an eight-point halftime lead into a rout. The Timberwolves opened with a 32-21 first quarter, but Toronto trimmed the margin by three in the second to make it 55-47 at halftime. Minnesota then overwhelmed the Raptors in the third, outscoring them by 20 and carrying a 90-62 lead into the fourth. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting, adding one rebound and three assists while recording no steals or blocks and four turnovers. LaMelo Ball had 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting, eight assists, two steals, one rebound, no blocks and two turnovers; Terrence Shannon Jr. also scored 15 on 5-for-6, with four rebounds, three assists, one steal, no blocks and two turnovers. Jaden McDaniels added 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks, with no steals and four turnovers. Ja’Kobe Walter scored 22 for Toronto on 7-for-12 shooting, with four rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block and one turnover, but Minnesota’s third-quarter surge proved decisive.
Key Performers
Anthony Edwards: 26 PTS, 10-18 FG, 1 REB, 3 AST, 4 TO LaMelo Ball: 15 PTS, 5-8 FG, 1 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL, 2 TO Ja’Kobe Walter: 22 PTS, 7-12 FG, 4 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK
Standings Impact
Minnesota entered 2-0 and improves to 3-0; Toronto falls from 2-0 to 2-1. The supplied power index ranks Minnesota No. 2 and Toronto No. 6.
DYMA Insight
The game turned in one quarter: Minnesota’s 35-15 third-quarter advantage stretched the lead from eight to 28. Ball’s eight assists and McDaniels’ three blocks added playmaking and rim protection to the scoring surge.