In a thrilling Monday night showdown, the Minnesota Timberwolves delivered the Boston Celtics their first loss of the season in an intense overtime battle, with the final score standing at 114-109. The Timberwolves showcased their prowess on the court, led by the dynamic Anthony Edwards, who scored an impressive 38 points and played a pivotal role in securing the victory for Minnesota.
Edwards was nothing short of spectacular in this game, making a significant impact not only in scoring but also contributing nine rebounds and seven assists. His performance in overtime was especially remarkable, as he single-handedly added eight crucial points to secure the win for his team. His clutch plays in those high-pressure moments earned him praise from his coach, Chris Finch, who noted, “He loves the moment… guys who like the moment are oftentimes few and far between. We’re lucky we have one on our team.”
Jaden McDaniels also had an outstanding game, adding 20 points to the Timberwolves’ tally. Rudy Gobert, the team’s formidable center, chipped in with 14 points and a double-double, grabbing 12 rebounds. Naz Reid’s 14 points in the first quarter played a crucial role in helping the Timberwolves overcome the foul trouble experienced by their star player, Karl-Anthony Towns, who managed just seven points in 28 minutes before fouling out in overtime.
As the Timberwolves celebrated their third consecutive victory at home and a perfect 4-0 record in their home arena, Rudy Gobert acknowledged the Celtics as a formidable opponent, saying, “They’re a championship-level team… They find ways to always stay in the game, always never giving up.” He highlighted the resilience and tenacity displayed by both teams during the match, emphasizing that despite several challenges, players were always ready to step up and make contributions.
The Celtics came into this game with an impressive 6-0 start, their best since the 2009-10 season. Led by Jayson Tatum’s 32 points and Jaylen Brown’s 26, the Celtics showcased their offensive firepower. Kristaps Porzingis, who was questionable for the game due to a stye in his eye, still managed to add 20 points to the Celtics’ efforts. However, the team was missing starting guard Derrick White for the second consecutive game, due to personal reasons related to the birth of his second child.
The game featured a captivating clash between two teams with the best offensive and defensive ratings early in the season, with neither side enjoying a lead of more than eight points throughout the match. Despite the Celtics boasting the third-best field goal percentage in the NBA at 50.1%, the Timberwolves’ defense held them to a season-low 39.1% shooting and forced a season-high 18 turnovers.
The intense matchup reached a stalemate late in regulation, with McDaniels nailing a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 101-101 with just 1:41 remaining. The game remained locked in a battle, with both teams struggling to find the basket in the final minutes of regulation.
Overtime proved to be a thrilling spectacle, with Mike Conley hitting a crucial three-pointer to give Minnesota a 106-105 lead. Then, Anthony Edwards took over, scoring eight of his 38 points in overtime, sealing the victory with three consecutive jump shots in a 9-0 run. Jaden McDaniels added a jumper in the final seconds, ensuring that the Timberwolves emerged victorious with a five-point lead.
Despite their victory, the Timberwolves faced their own challenges, missing 12 of their 25 free throw attempts and committing 24 turnovers. Nevertheless, their determination and resilience prevailed in the end, handing the previously unbeaten Celtics their first loss of the season.