The Minnesota Timberwolves star put that on full display Thursday night at Target Center, throwing down a ferocious two-handed slam over RJ Barrett in the third quarter and flexing at him on the way back up the court. It was the kind of moment that shifts momentum, silences doubt, and reminds everyone in the building — and watching at home — exactly who the Timberwolves are becoming.
Final score: Minnesota 115, Toronto 107.
Anthony Edwards Puts the Timberwolves on His Back
Edwards finished with 22 points on an efficient 8-of-12 from the field and 5-of-8 from three. Not his flashiest stat line — he dropped 41 just two nights prior against Memphis — but this performance was different. The kind of game you see from players who know they don’t need to force anything.
The dunk over Barrett was the moment of the night. Edwards crossed him up in the lane, elevated above the rim, and threw it down with both hands. Barrett bumped him as they ran back up the court, and Edwards didn’t even flinch. That’s what five straight wins and a growing belief in yourself looks like.
Gobert, Randle, and DiVincenzo Step Up in a Big Way
This Timberwolves team isn’t a one-man show, and Thursday’s win proved it.
Rudy Gobert was a wall on both ends — 18 points, 12 rebounds, and the kind of interior presence that makes opposing offenses rethink every drive. Julius Randle added 17 points and 8 rebounds, mixing midrange pull-ups with relentless paint attacks. And Donte DiVincenzo, quietly becoming one of Minnesota’s most dependable contributors, knocked down 4-of-6 from three en route to 16 points.
Off the bench, Ayo Dosunmu was outstanding. He scored 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting, finishing a team-best +25 for the night. Naz Reid chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds. That’s the kind of depth that makes the Timberwolves dangerous.
The Third Quarter Is When the Timberwolves Took Over
Games have moments. And this one had a stretch that Toronto simply couldn’t survive.
The Timberwolves held a razor-thin 55-54 lead at halftime — a one-point game that could have gone either way. Then Minnesota outscored Toronto 35-22 in the third quarter, including an 11-0 run that blew the game open at 86-70. From that point forward, it was about execution, not desperation.
The Raptors tried to claw back in the fourth — RJ Barrett was gutsy with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, and Immanuel Quickley added 18 — but Toronto couldn’t overcome 12 turnovers that Minnesota converted into 26 points. When you hand the Timberwolves extra possessions, they make you pay.
Where Do the Timberwolves Stand in the West?
With Houston falling to Golden State in overtime on the same night, the Timberwolves (40-23) climbed to third place in the Western Conference — one game ahead of the Rockets. It’s the highest Minnesota has sat in the standings all season, and the energy around this team is unmistakable.
The gap between them and Oklahoma City (49-15) remains significant. But the Timberwolves aren’t chasing anyone right now. They’re building something — a five-game win streak, a belief in their system, and a star in Edwards who’s maturing right before our eyes.
Next up: the Orlando Magic come to Target Center on Saturday.
