Anthony Edwards scores 36 points in the Timberwolves’ 138-113 victory over the Jazz
Anthony Edwards scores 36 points in the Timberwolves’ 138-113 victory over the Jazz
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts after a play against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts after a shot against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) takes a 3-point shot over Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) posts up against Utah Jazz forward John Collins, right, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) speak while the Utah Jazz shoot free throws during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) shoots a 3-point basket over Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after a play against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy looks on during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Utah Jazz forward John Collins goes to the floor against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch looks to the bench during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels rebounds the ball against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts after a play against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts after a shot against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) takes a 3-point shot over Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) takes a 3-point shot over Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) posts up against Utah Jazz forward John Collins, right, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) posts up against Utah Jazz forward John Collins, right, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) speak while the Utah Jazz shoot free throws during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) speak while the Utah Jazz shoot free throws during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) shoots a 3-point basket over Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) shoots a 3-point basket over Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after a play against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy looks on during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Utah Jazz forward John Collins goes to the floor against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch looks to the bench during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels rebounds the ball against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 16 of his 36 points in the third quarter and the Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Utah 138-113 on Thursday for their fifth straight victory and second in two nights.
Added to the All-Star Game as a reserve Thursday, Edwards had 11 assists and keyed a decisive 44-22 third quarter for the Timberwolves. Minnesota was coming off a 121-113 victory at Phoenix on Wednesday.
After the Jazz made a modest run in the fourth quarter, Edwards made three 3-pointers in a 1:25 span to give Minnesota a 125-97 lead with 4:34 left.
Keyonte George, who was moved out of Utah’s the starting lineup four games ago, scored 23 points on 7-for-7 shooting. Collin Sexton had 19 points, while John Collins and Jordan Clarkson both had 16 in Utah’s eighth consecutive loss.
Minnesota rookie Rob Dillingham had a career-high 19 points. Rudy Gobert and Luka Garza each added 16 points.
Takeaways
Timberwolves: Even without point guard Mike Conley (thumb sprain), the Timberwolves ran their offense without a hitch, consistently staying one pass ahead of Utah’s defensive scrambles. Minnesota had 38 assists, matching its season high of 38 assists set three games ago at Denver.
Jazz: The game marked the first time all of Utah’s veteran leaders (Lauri Markkanen, Collins, Sexton and Clarkson) have been available since the Jazz won at Miami 136-100 on Jan. 4. Markkanen’s 3-pointer gave Utah an early 25-10 lead but the Jazz sputtered the rest of the game.
Key moment
Coming back from illness, Naz Reid made four straight 3s as Minnesota outscored the Jazz 32-11 during a nine-minute span bridging the first and second quarters. The Timberwolves never trailed after that.
Key stat
The Timberwolves shot a season high 61.3% from the field, easily besting their previous mark of 56.6% in a loss to Memphis on Jan. 11.
Up next
The Timberwolves return home to play Washington on Saturday night. Utah hosts Orlando on Saturday.
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