‘We Were Slow’: Anthony Edwards Scores 40 As Dallas Mavericks Dig Early Hole In Loss To Minnesota Timberwolves
For three quarters and change, the Dallas Mavericks showed they can compete. For the first six minutes — and ultimately the first 12 — they showed why they keep losing.
The Mavericks erased a 15-point halftime deficit, tied the game midway through the fourth quarter, and then watched Anthony Edwards take over late in a 122-111 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Friday night. The defeat extended Dallas’ losing streak to 10 games — its longest since the 1997-98 season — and dropped the club to 19-36 overall and 5-20 on the road.
Minnesota improved to 35-22, secured its fifth straight win over Dallas dating back to December 2024 and guaranteed a fourth consecutive season-series victory over the Mavericks — the longest active winning streak against a single opponent in Timberwolves franchise history.
Minnesota Timberwolves’ First Quarter Surge Exposes Dallas Mavericks’ League-Worst Trend
The defining stretch came immediately. Minnesota opened the game with sharp pace and spacing. Donte DiVincenzo buried a 24-foot three on the first possession. Within the opening minutes, Rudy Gobert generated second-chance opportunities with multiple offensive rebounds. Edwards and Naz Reid followed with perimeter makes as the Timberwolves attacked early in the shot clock.
By the end of the first quarter, Minnesota had scored 40 points on 14-of-23 shooting, including 8-of-13 from three-point range. The eight made threes tied the Timberwolves’ season high for a single quarter. It also marked Minnesota’s 15th 40-point quarter of the season — tied with the New York Knicks for the second-most in the NBA.
Dallas trailed 40-25 before its rotation combinations stabilized.
The pattern aligns precisely with the Mavericks’ broader struggles. Over their 10-game losing streak, Dallas ranks 30th in the NBA in first-quarter net rating at minus-28.2. Their first-quarter defensive rating during that span sits at 129.3, dramatically worse than the league average, which hovers near 113.
Opponents are dictating shot quality and tempo before Dallas can establish rhythm.
“We were slow there in that first half,” head coach Jason Kidd said. “Make or miss, getting the ball out, throwing the ball ahead, the trust — things that we’ve done here before the break.”
Dallas entered halftime trailing 69-57 with just seven assists.
“We had seven assists at halftime. That’s just not who we are,” Kidd said.
Minnesota entered the night ranked fifth in first-quarter net rating over its previous 10 games at plus-12.9. Friday reflected that disparity.
Rudy Gobert’s 10 Offensive Rebounds Anchor Minnesota Timberwolves’ Physical Edge
The Timberwolves’ early perimeter accuracy was supported by interior dominance.
Gobert finished with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, a game-high 17 rebounds and three blocks. Ten of his 17 boards came on the offensive glass — a season high and one of just eight 10-plus offensive rebound performances in the NBA this season.
The performance marked Gobert’s first 20-point, 15-rebound game of the year and the 50th of his career. He also became one of only eight players this season to record at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in a game.
Minnesota finished with 54 rebounds overall, its 14th 50-plus rebound outing this season, and improved to 11-4 when reaching that mark. The offensive rebounding margin in the opening quarter fueled extended possessions that prevented Dallas from generating transition opportunities.
Reid complemented that effort off the bench, posting 21 points in 30:28 minutes on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three, along with seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. The performance marked his third 20-point, five-rebound, two-block game of the season, tying him with Victor Wembanyama for the most such games off the bench in the league this year.
Dallas Mavericks Injuries Continue to Compress Early-Game Flexibility
The Mavericks’ margin for error remains narrow due to key absences.
Max Christie was ruled out before tipoff with a left ankle sprain, removing a 42.6 percent three-point shooter who averages 13.3 points per game. Rookie forward Cooper Flagg missed his second consecutive contest with a left midfoot sprain. Flagg leads Dallas with 999 total points and averages 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 34.1 minutes per game.
Before the game, Kidd addressed the continued absences.
“Next man up. That’s the best answer,” Kidd said. “There’s a lot of injuries. We’ve seen this before. Cooper’s been out (before) unfortunately & will be out. There’s another opportunity for someone in that Mavs uniform to step up until Cooper gets back.”
Kyrie Irving remains sidelined following ACL reconstruction surgery and confirmed during All-Star weekend that he will not return this season.
“This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one,” Irving said. “I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates, and our fans for their continued support throughout the process. I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows.
“And I wanted to send a huge shoutout to ALL of my brothers and sisters out there who’ve torn their ACL or gotten injured doing what they love to do every day. THANK YOU for the inspiration. No fear!”
Dereck Lively II also remains out following right foot surgery.
Without Flagg’s downhill scoring or Christie’s perimeter spacing, Dallas has struggled to generate early offensive pressure before opponents settle into their half-court sets.
“This is on the fly,” Kidd said. “We’re getting to know Bagley, Middleton and Ty. We don’t have a lot of practice time here, so this is real time.”
Dallas Mavericks’ Second-Half Surge Shows Competitive Ceiling
Once Dallas adjusted defensively and began pushing pace, the game tightened considerably.
Khris Middleton opened the third quarter with a turnaround jumper. Naji Marshall attacked the paint. P.J. Washington converted from the corner. Tyus Jones increased tempo in transition. By the 7:39 mark of the third quarter, Washington’s three-pointer trimmed the deficit to 77-75.
The lineup of Jones, Klay Thompson, Middleton, Washington and Daniel Gafford eventually erased the gap. Thompson hit a 22-foot three with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Jones tied the game at 103-103 with a driving floater at the 6:55 mark.
“It’s just the character in that locker room. Guys are fighting. It’s next-man-up mentality,” Kidd said. “We were down. We didn’t play our best basketball. We all agreed at halftime that wasn’t our best. I thought the guys put their best foot forward in the second half and made a game of it.”
Marvin Bagley III, who finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, emphasized the team’s energy shift.
“We just stayed with it,” Bagley said. “We started moving like we were talking about and stuck to what we said works. We kept the energy and kept the effort, but it just didn’t fall our way.”
Over the 10-game losing streak, Dallas ranks 16th in second-half net rating at minus-1.5 — a stark contrast to its league-worst first-quarter metrics.
Anthony Edwards’ 40-Point Night Closes The Door
From the tie at 103-103, Minnesota relied on its franchise cornerstone.
Edwards scored 14 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter. He finished 16-of-30 from the field, including five three-pointers, and added six rebounds. The performance marked his eighth 40-point game of the season and the 27th of his career — tied with Luka Dončić for the most 40-point games in the NBA this year.
Each of Edwards’ eight 40-point performances this season has come on at least 50 percent shooting, a single-season franchise record for the Timberwolves.
“Yeah, and he was good,” Kidd said. “As we talked before the game, he’s one of the best players in the world. Coming off the MVP at the All-Star Game. Shooting the three, getting to the rim, getting to the free-throw line — he did that tonight. It makes sense.”
Minnesota outscored Dallas 29-23 in the fourth quarter and maintained control down the stretch.
Competitive But Still Playing From Behind
Seven Dallas players scored in double figures, led by Middleton’s 18 points. Jones orchestrated much of the comeback, while Washington and Marshall supplied defensive energy. However, Minnesota’s early shot-making and rebounding edge forced the Mavericks into late-game possessions that increasingly favor elite closers.
The second-half competitiveness underscores Dallas’ ceiling. The first-quarter collapse continues to define its floor.
Until those opening six to 12 minutes stabilize, the Mavericks’ resilience may remain admirable — but insufficient to reverse the trend.
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