The Timberwolves turned a strong start into a Thursday-night rout, winning 133-94 in a game played tonight, Eastern time.
Minnesota beat Dallas 133-94 on Thursday, building its lead in every quarter. The Timberwolves opened with a 34-26 first quarter, led 67-52 at halftime, then outscored Dallas 36-17 in the third to make it 103-69. Nah'Shon Hyland led Minnesota with 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-6 from three, plus 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, no blocks and 1 turnover. LaMelo Ball added 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting and 6-of-10 from three, with 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, no blocks and 4 turnovers. Ayo Dosunmu scored 18 on 8-of-15 shooting, adding 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block and 1 turnover; Jaden McDaniels had 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, no steals, 1 block and 3 turnovers. Zaccharie Risacher paced Dallas with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 1 turnover. Minnesota won the fourth quarter 30-25 and finished the night with a 39-point margin, while Dallas managed just 17 points in the third.
Key Performers
Nah'Shon Hyland, Minnesota: 24 PTS, 3 REB, 8 AST; 7/10 FG, 5/6 3PT LaMelo Ball, Minnesota: 22 PTS, 3 REB, 9 AST; 8/14 FG, 6/10 3PT Zaccharie Risacher, Dallas: 22 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST; 9/14 FG, 4/8 3PT
Standings Impact
Minnesota is 8-3 and fifth in the power index; Dallas is 7-4 and 11th. The result extends the gap between them in both the standings and the index.
DYMA Insight
The defining stretch was Minnesota's 36-17 third quarter: a 15-point halftime lead became 34 before the fourth began. The Timberwolves' 39-point win matched the difference between the teams' power-index positions, five versus 11.