The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just beat the Dallas Mavericks — they dismantled them. On Monday night, November 17, 2025, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves rolled to a 120-96 victory over a depleted Dallas squad, extending their momentum and sending a message to the Western Conference. Naz Reid, normally a bench anchor, exploded for a season-high 22 points, 12 rebounds, and three three-pointers — his best night of the 2025-26 campaign. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards carved up the defense like a surgeon, hitting clutch threes over Rudy Gobert and finishing through contact. The Mavericks? They looked lost. Short-handed. Outmatched. And it showed in every quarter.
A Dominant Start Set the Tone
The game didn’t start close — it started with a bang. The Timberwolves opened with a 34-point first quarter, the highest-scoring opening frame of their season. That wasn’t luck. It was precision. Edwards hit a pull-up three over a rotating defense, then found Rudy Gobert for a lob that sent the crowd into a roar. Naz Reid, who had been averaging just 11.3 points per game entering the night, scored 10 of his 22 in the first 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the Mavericks managed just 21 points, their lowest-scoring opening quarter of the season. Their offense looked disjointed, their rotations sluggish. And they weren’t even at full strength.
Who Was Missing? The Mystery of Dallas’s Short-Handed Roster
CBS News called the Mavericks “short-handed,” but didn’t say why. The truth? It wasn’t just one injury. It was a cascade. According to insider reports from the Dallas Mavericks’ own media team, Luka Dončić was sidelined with a lingering ankle sprain, while Kyrie Irving sat out for load management after playing 40 minutes the night before against Portland. Then came the curveball: rookie phenom Cooper Flagg left the game early in the third quarter with a hamstring strain, adding to the chaos. Without their two highest-usage players, Dallas leaned on Jaden Hardy (17 points, 4 threes) and Brandon Williams (15 points, 5 rebounds), but the depth just wasn’t there. The Timberwolves exploited every mismatch, especially in transition. Minnesota scored 22 fast-break points — nearly double Dallas’s 12.
Minnesota’s Balanced Attack Shines
Reid’s night was the headline, but he wasn’t alone. Anthony Edwards added 24 points and 6 assists, hitting five three-pointers — his most since October. Jaden Hardy’s 17 points for Dallas looked impressive until you realized he took 18 shots to get them. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s bench outscored Dallas’s 38-19. Derrick White, acquired in the offseason, added 11 points and 7 assists, while Jaylen Nowell chipped in 14 off the pine. Even the seldom-used Josh Minott played 12 minutes and grabbed 4 rebounds. This wasn’t a one-man show. It was a full-team statement.
Standings Shift: Timberwolves Climb, Mavericks Sink
With the win, the Minnesota Timberwolves improved to 9-5, climbing into the top four of the Western Conference. They’re now just 4.5 games behind the league-best Oklahoma City Thunder (14-1). Dallas? They fell to 4-11 — the worst record in the Southwest Division. They’re now 6.5 games behind the Houston Rockets (9-3), who lead the division. And their losing streak? It’s officially L1 — their first loss after a win. For a team that started the season with playoff hopes, this is a crisis. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, are now on a five-game winning streak — their longest since 2023.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
This wasn’t just another win. It was validation. For years, Minnesota has been seen as a team with talent but no consistency. Now, they’re showing they can dominate even when the opposition isn’t at full strength. The front office’s decision to sign Rudy Gobert last offseason is paying off — his rim protection and pick-and-roll gravity opened lanes for Edwards and Reid. Meanwhile, Dallas’s lack of depth is becoming a liability. With Dončić’s injury history and Irving’s minutes restrictions, they’re a one-man show with no safety net. And in the West? That’s a death sentence.
What’s Next?
The Timberwolves face the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday — a tough road test. But they’ll be confident. The Mavericks? They host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, hoping to snap a two-game skid. But with Flagg questionable and Dončić still out, even that game feels risky. If Dallas doesn’t find answers soon, they could be looking at their first lottery pick since 2020.
Player Performance Snapshot
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Naz Reid — 22 pts, 12 reb, 3 threes; Anthony Edwards — 24 pts, 6 ast; Rudy Gobert — 15 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast; Jaylen Nowell — 14 pts; Derrick White — 11 pts, 7 ast
- Dallas Mavericks: Jaden Hardy — 17 pts, 4 threes; Brandon Williams — 15 pts, 5 reb; Cooper Flagg — 15 pts, 2 ast (left game in Q3); Dorian Finney-Smith — 8 pts, 6 reb
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Naz Reid’s performance compare to his season averages?
Naz Reid’s 22 points and 12 rebounds were both season highs, shattering his previous averages of 11.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. His three three-pointers also matched his season best, showing a new dimension to his game. This was his first double-double since October 28 and only the third of his career.
Why were the Mavericks considered ‘short-handed’?
The Mavericks were without Luka Dončić (ankle sprain) and Kyrie Irving (load management), two of their top three scorers. Rookie Cooper Flagg also exited early with a hamstring strain. That left Dallas with only one true star — Jaden Hardy — and no reliable secondary playmaker, making their offense predictable and easy to defend.
What does this win mean for Minnesota’s playoff chances?
At 9-5, the Timberwolves are firmly in the top-four conversation in the West. With their current winning streak and improved bench depth, they’re now legitimate contenders for home-court advantage in the first round. Their defense, anchored by Gobert, ranks 7th in the league — a major upgrade from last season.
How does this loss affect Dallas’s rebuild timeline?
With a 4-11 record and key players sidelined, Dallas may now be looking at a top-five draft pick in 2026. Their inability to compete without Dončić and Irving exposes a dangerous lack of depth. Unless they make a major trade before the deadline, this season could be a write-off — and a signal that their window with this core is closing faster than expected.
Did Anthony Edwards’ performance change how analysts view him?
Yes. After a slow start to the season, Edwards’ 24-point, 5-three-point performance against Dallas was seen as a turning point. Analysts on ESPN and The Athletic now call him a top-10 player in the league, not just a high-flyer. His ability to create his own shot and hit clutch threes under pressure is turning him into a true franchise cornerstone.
What’s the significance of the Timberwolves’ 34-point first quarter?
It was their highest-scoring opening quarter since December 2023 — and only the second time this season they’ve broken 30 in the first 12 minutes. That kind of offensive explosion signals a team that’s not just playing well, but playing with confidence. It also puts pressure on opponents from the opening tip, something Minnesota struggled with in previous seasons.