Anthony Edwards erupted for 42 points and hit the game-sealing three-pointer with 47 seconds left in overtime as the Minnesota Timberwolves survived a furious Atlanta Hawks comeback to win 127-121 at Target Center on Wednesday night.
The fourth-year guard went 15-of-26 from the field and 6-of-12 from beyond the arc, adding eight rebounds and six assists in 42 minutes. Edwards’ performance helped Minnesota (23-21) snap a three-game losing streak and move within two games of .500 after a disappointing start to 2024.
Young Guns Battle in Fourth Quarter Drama
Trae Young answered Edwards shot-for-shot down the stretch, finishing with 38 points and 12 assists for Atlanta (18-26). The Hawks point guard forced overtime with a step-back three-pointer over Jaden McDaniels with 12.3 seconds remaining in regulation, capping a 14-point fourth quarter that erased a 10-point Minnesota lead.
“Trae was incredible tonight,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “But Ant stepped up when we needed him most. That’s what elite players do in big moments.”
The game marked the first meeting between the teams since last season’s controversial finish in Atlanta, where a missed goaltending call on Rudy Gobert helped the Hawks steal a victory. Minnesota hadn’t forgotten.
McDaniels Provides Crucial Defense
While Edwards grabbed headlines with his scoring outburst, McDaniels delivered the defensive play of the night. The 6-foot-9 wing blocked Young’s potential game-winner at the regulation buzzer, then stripped De’Andre Hunter on a crucial possession in overtime.
McDaniels finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks while drawing the primary assignment on Young for most of the night. His length bothered the Hawks star throughout the fourth quarter and overtime period.
“Jaden’s defense was the difference,” Edwards said. “He made it tough on Trae all night, and that block at the end of regulation was huge.”
Gobert Dominates Paint Battle
Rudy Gobert controlled the interior with 18 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks, outplaying Hawks center Clint Capela in a physical matchup. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year went 8-of-12 from the field and grabbed six offensive rebounds.
Capela managed just eight points and nine rebounds while shooting 3-of-9 from the field. The veteran center struggled with Gobert’s length and activity around the rim throughout the contest.
Minnesota outrebounded Atlanta 52-41, including a 16-9 advantage on the offensive glass that led to 19 second-chance points.
Hawks’ Bench Provides Spark
Atlanta’s reserves outscored Minnesota’s bench 42-28, led by Bogdan Bogdanović’s 22 points off the bench. The Serbian guard went 6-of-11 from three-point range and provided crucial scoring when Young rested in the second and fourth quarters.
Dejounte Murray added 19 points and seven assists for the Hawks, but shot just 7-of-19 from the field. Murray’s struggles from midrange proved costly as Atlanta couldn’t maintain offensive efficiency against Minnesota’s improved defense.
The Hawks have now lost four of their last six games and sit 5.5 games behind Miami for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta’s road woes continued as they dropped to 7-15 away from State Farm Arena this season.
Playoff Implications Mount
The victory keeps Minnesota in the hunt for a Western Conference playoff spot, sitting just three games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the sixth seed. The Timberwolves have won seven of their last 10 games at home, where they’ll need to continue protecting their court to make a postseason push.
Edwards’ explosive night showcased why many consider him among the league’s rising superstars. The Georgia product has scored 30 or more points in eight of his last 12 games, averaging 28.4 points per game during that stretch.
Minnesota returns to action Friday night against the Denver Nuggets, while Atlanta continues its four-game road trip Saturday in Milwaukee against the Bucks.
