Short-handed Timberwolves rally to top Trail Blazers

Field Level Media|published: Sat 8th February, 22:57 2025

NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Minnesota Timberwolves

Feb 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) dribbles against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Jaden McDaniels scored 30 points on 12-for-17 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied for a 114-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

Naz Reid finished with 23 points and eight rebounds for Minnesota, which won its third game in a row. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 21 points, and Rudy Gobert notched 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Anfernee Simons scored 21 points on 9-for-21 shooting to lead Portland, which had a six-game winning streak snapped. Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe finished with 14 points apiece, and Scoot Henderson chipped in 12.

Minnesota won despite Anthony Edwards (hip) and Mike Conley (finger) being ruled out earlier in the day. They joined Julius Randle (groin) and Donte DiVincenzo (toe), who had already been ruled out.

The Timberwolves outscored the Trail Blazers 38-14 in the fourth quarter to seize the victory. Minnesota trailed by eight points at the end of the third quarter.

Reid started the fourth-quarter rally with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 84-79 with 11:44 remaining.

After two free throws by Portland's Deni Avdija increased the lead to seven points, the Timberwolves scored six straight points. Jaylen Clark made a 3-pointer and Gobert converted a three-point play to pull Minnesota within 86-85 with 9:54 to go.

McDaniels finally put Minnesota on top 92-91 when he made a pull-up jump shot with 6:48 remaining.

Grant made two free throws for Portland to even the score at 93-all with 5:54 to go.

Reid hit a 3-pointer and McDaniels made a jump shot to spark 13 straight points for the Timberwolves. By the time McDaniels finished the streak with two free throws, Minnesota led 106-93 with 2:06 remaining.

Portland led 60-47 at the half.

A 3-pointer by Simons and a pair of free throws by Avdija gave the Trail Blazers a 15-point lead with 33.1 seconds to go before the break.

McDaniels rebounded his own missed shot and scored on a putback to cut the Timberwolves' deficit to 13 at intermission.

--Field Level Media

Latest