A career-high 51 points courtesy of Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to a key 130-121 win over the Wizards at the Target Center.
The win sees Minnesota stay atop the Western Conference’s playoff picture despite Denver – who won today against the Jazz – being tied with them record-wise.
The 22-year-old finished the night with 51 points on 17-of-29 from the field and 6-of-13 from three to go along with six assists and seven rebounds.
He becomes just the sixth player in franchise history to notch a 50-point game.
He was flanked by Rudy Gobert (19 pts, 16 reb, 4 blk), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (23 pts, 5 ast), and Mike Conley (15 pts, 5/9 3P).
Naz Reid was ejected for the Wolves in the opening quarter after catching Johnny Davis with a stray elbow.
The Wolves were dealt welcomed news prior to tip-off with injured All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns being cleared for full-contact, five-on-five work after sitting out the past five weeks with a meniscus issue.
Minnesota fell behind early with the Wizards garnering a 21-point lead in a first quarter in which they poured on 44 points before a 36-point turnaround saw the tide turn.
The Timberwolves outscored Washington by 15 in the third period to wrestle back momentum.
Minnesota won the rebounding battle and outscored Washington in the paint whilst hitting on 18 of their 41 three-point attempts (43.9%).
Six Wizards finished in double figures including Corey Kispert (25 pts, 5 ast, 5/10 3P), Jordan Poole (24 pts, 6 ast), and Anthony Gill (15 pts, 9 reb).
They find themselves back in action against the Bulls on Saturday whilst Minnesota face the Nuggets in Denver tomorrow in what shapes as a crucial match-up.
