The chase for the NBA Cup has begun.
The Minnesota Timberwolves opened their NBA Cup schedule against the Utah Jazz, debuting their bright green court that was met with mixed reactions online.
The Wolves started the game exactly as you would want to see against a beatable opponent. Jaden McDaniels stole the opening tip for a dunk, and Anthony Edwards scored eight straight points before the Jazz could even breathe.
It wasn’t just the Wolves’ offense that was humming as the defense, which has struggled greatly through these first eight games, allowed just six points over the first five minutes of the quarter as the Timberwolves took an early 18-point lead.
The lead eventually reached 29 points by the end of the first quarter and continued to grow throughout the game. The Wolves led by at least 20 points the rest of the game, with the difference in score peaking at 44 points.
With the Timberwolves in clear control on the scoreboard, the only remaining questions were how many points Edwards would be able to score and how much the Wolves would try to run up the score in the fourth quarter, with the game being an NBA Cup game where point differential is the main tiebreaker.
The answer to the Edwards question would be 37 points. If the game had been anywhere near close, the number would have been much higher. Ant subbed out of the game late in the third and did not return. Edwards seemed to be still knocking off the rust in his first game back from injury on Wednesday against the New York Knicks, but was back to his usual self tonight.
The Timberwolves also didn’t feel the need to run up the score as they brought in the bench with less than nine minutes to go in the game, up by 36 points. The Wolves would maintain the large league as they went on to win by a score of 137-97.
Along with Edwards, Julius Randle was outstanding, ending up a single rebound away from a triple-double in the first half alone. He would quickly pick up the needed rebound in the third quarter, finishing with 19 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. McDaniels continued his great start to the season as well, putting up 22 points and seven rebounds.
This story will be updated throughout the night after coach and player media availabilities.
Up Next
The Timberwolves head out west for a matchup with the Sacramento Kings. The Wolves have won their last five games at Golden 1 Center, dating back to the 2022-23 season.
The game begins at 8:00 PM CT, with fans being able to watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network.
