Wolves get back on track with win over Wizards

Field Level Media|published: Wed 24th January, 21:47 2024

Jan 24, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) blocks Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) first half shot at Capital One Arena. credits: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Edwards scored 38 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 15 of his 27 points in the third quarter to fuel the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves to a 118-107 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.

Edwards offset an 11-for-28 performance from the floor by making 13 of 14 attempts from the foul line.

Towns went 11-for-24 from the floor — albeit 2-for-10 from 3-point range — in his first game since posting a franchise-record 62-point performance in a 128-125 setback against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.

Rudy Gobert collected 19 points and 16 rebounds and Jaden McDaniels added 13 points for the Timberwolves, who snapped a two-game losing streak despite playing without Mike Conley (illness).

Minnesota made Washington pay for its miscues, scoring 32 points off 21 turnovers. The Timberwolves committed just seven turnovers to overcome a 28.1 percent shooting performance (9 of 32) from 3-point range.

Washington's Deni Avdija drained four 3-pointers to highlight his 24-point effort. Marvin Bagley III recorded 17 points and a season-high 15 rebounds and Kyle Kuzma had 17 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists for the Wizards, who have lost five in a row and 11 of their past 12 games.

Avdija sank a 3-pointer to stake Washington to a 64-59 lead early in the third quarter before Towns and Edwards combined for score 14 points during a 16-2 run for Minnesota.

The Wizards responded with seven straight points to pull within 75-73 with 4:16 remaining in the period. Towns subsequently scored six points during the Timberwolves' 15-5 surge to end the quarter.

Edwards drained a 3-pointer to push Minnesota's lead to 103-89 midway into the fourth quarter. Washington shaved the deficit to seven with 3:15 to play, but Bagley misfired on a pair of free throws with 2:40 left and the Timberwolves eventually sealed the victory.

Washington overcame an early nine-point deficit as Avdija drained 3-pointers to forge ties at 45-45 and 52-52. Kyle Kuzma and Landry Shamet each converted from beyond the arc to give the Wizards a 59-57 lead entering halftime.

—Field Level Media

Latest