National Basketball Association
Minnesota 121, Portland 109
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Officials: # Sha'Rae Mitchell, #26 Pat Fraher, #60 James Williams
Attendance: 17906

Anthony Edwards poured in 41 points on 16-of-27 shooting from the floor to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 121-109 victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker was 5-for-6 from 3-point range while scoring 18 points off the bench for Minnesota, which improved to 3-1 on a five-game road trip. Rudy Gobert recorded 16 points and 15 rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns added 13 points for the Timberwolves.

The output was the second highest of the season for Edwards. He put up 44 against the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 28.

Deandre Ayton scored 22 points on 11-of-12 shooting and collected 16 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who lost their fifth consecutive contest.

Anfernee Simons scored 20 points and Dalano Banton added 16 points for Portland. Scoot Henderson had 14 points and nine assists, Toumani Camara also scored 14 points and Jerami Grant had 12 points for the Trail Blazers.

The two teams play again Thursday in Portland in the final contest for both squads before the All-Star break.

Minnesota shot 46.4 percent from the floor, including 13 of 33 (39.4 percent) from 3-point range. Naz Reid had 10 points for the Timberwolves, who outscored Portland 37-26 in the fourth quarter.

The Trail Blazers made 44.8 percent of their attempts and were 11-for-29 (37.9 percent) from behind the arc.

Edwards scored 23 first-half points on 8-of-11 shooting to give the Timberwolves a 59-51 lead at the break. Simons had 12 in the half for Portland.

Edwards hit a 3-pointer to cap a 10-2 burst in the third quarter and give Minnesota a 72-62 lead with 5:55 left. The Trail Blazers answered with an 11-1 run, and Grant's second trey during the surge knotted the score at 73 with 4:01 remaining.

The Timberwolves moved ahead by five before Duop Reath eventually drained a 3-pointer with 18.3 seconds as Portland trailed 84-83 entering the final stanza.

Henderson was fouled shooting a 3-pointer 15 seconds into the fourth quarter and he made all three to give the Trail Blazers a two-point edge, their first lead since 13-11 five-plus minutes into the game.

Alexander-Walker then took over with three treys during a 20-4 spurt that gave Minnesota a 104-90 advantage with 6:33 remaining.

After a Portland timeout, Edwards stole the ball from Henderson and drove in for a dunk to cap the burst.

Edwards banked in a runner to make it 111-92 with 4:42 left as the Timberwolves cruised to the finish.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Portland
Anthony Edwards 41 Scoring Deandre Ayton 22
Kyle Anderson 8 Assists Scoot Henderson 9
Rudy Gobert 15 Rebounds Deandre Ayton 16
Karl-Anthony Towns 8 Free Throws Made Dalano Banton 7
Mike Conley 2 Steals Dalano Banton 1
Mike Conley 3 Blocks Duop Reath 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Minnesota 121 46.4 13-33 30-34 24 41 9 8 12
Portland 109 44.8 11-29 20-25 26 44 1 5 16
Upcoming Games
  • Portland will play their next game at home against Minnesota. The Trail Blazers have a W/L % of .333 after a win and .263 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Portland. The Timberwolves have a W/L % of .632 after a win and .875 after a loss.