Wizards beat Timberwolves 105-103 to end 16-game losing streak

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Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly, left, work around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, left, works around Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, left, controls the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid, left, shoots as Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, right, argues a call with referee Kohn Conley during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham, top, and Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole compete for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, second from right, and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, left, exchange words after an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

By MIKE COOK

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kyle Kuzma scored a season-high 31 points and the Washington Wizards beat the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves 105-103 on Saturday night to end a 16-game losing streak.

Jordan Poole scored 19 points, Bilal Coulibaly had 14 and Jonas Valanciunas added 13 points and 10 rebounds to help Washington win for the seventh time this season.

Washington, which led by seven with under four minutes to play, turned the ball over with 11 seconds left clinging to a two-point lead. But a 3-point try by Minnesota’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker rimmed out with three seconds left. Corey Kispert grabbed the rebound and the Wizards ended a 21-game road slide.

Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota with 23 points and 12 rebounds — his first career game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 16 rebounds, but Minnesota’s five-game winning streak ended.

Minnesota was playing without two starters. All-Star Anthony Edwards sat out with an illness and Julius Randle missed his first game with a groin injury, something coach Chris Finch said would keep him out “more than a few days.” Naz Reid, who started for the first time this season, left early in the third quarter with a right finger sprain.

Takeaways

Wizards: Guard Malcom Brogdon returned after missing 14 games with a right foot injury. He had three points, four assists and five rebounds in 21 minutes.

Timberwolves: Minnesota continues to get excellent ball movement, finishing with 29 assists.

Key moment

With Washington down 93-91, Valanciunas scored five points in a 9-0 run for a 99-93 lead with 3:52 to go.

Key stat

Kuzma, who did not shoot a free throw, scored 16 straight Wizards points in the second quarter.

Up next

Both teams play Monday night. Washington is at Charlotte, and Minnesota hosts Sacramento.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba