Naz Reid led the charge with 25 points and nine rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves clinched a 114-93 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on a Monday night showdown. Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo contributed with 21 and 14 points respectively, while Julius Randle added 13 to the tally for Minnesota. The team demonstrated remarkable accuracy from long distance, sinking 18 of their 38 attempts from the 3-point line (47.4%).
Hornets Struggle to Find the Net from Downtown
The Timberwolves managed to stifle the Hornets’ offense, limiting them to a mere 10 out of 42 from beyond the arc (23.8%). The Hornets’ top scorer, LaMelo Ball, managed 19 points, with Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, and Tre Mann all chipping in with 10 points each.
Missing Players Impact Hornets’ Performance
After a promising start to the season, the Hornets have endured a slump, losing five of their last six games. The absence of starting center Mark Williams (due to a strained left foot tendon) and reserve Nick Richards (owing to a sore shoulder) was clearly felt.
Timberwolves’ Lead Allows Rookie Debut
The Wolves’ solid lead in the early stages of the fourth quarter permitted rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. to make their maiden appearances at the Target Center. Dillingham managed to wow the crowd with a couple of spectacular one-handed runners, while Shannon’s only attempt failed to find the mark.
Key Turning Point
The game’s pivotal moment came at the start of the second quarter when it was all square at 24. A powerful 13-2 run, fueled by Nickeil Alexander-Walker and DiVincenzo’s 3-pointers, and a pair of Gobert’s dunks, handed the Timberwolves a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Decisive Statistic
The Timberwolves’ command of the three-point line was a key factor in their victory. Reid, Edwards, Mike Conley, and DiVincenzo teamed up to sink 15 3-pointers, a significant contribution to their overall score.
What’s Next?
The Hornets will aim to bounce back when they play host to the Pistons on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves will set their sights on a win in Chicago against the Bulls on Thursday.
