ANTHONY Edwards delivered clutch conversions as Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a 117-115 victory over Sacramento Kings in the 2024-25 NBA regular season on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
With the score tied at 112-all, Edwards knocked down a perimeter basket to give the Timberwolves a 114-112 but the Kings reclaimed the advantage at 115-114 on a three-point play by Malik Monk.
A split free throw by Rudy Gobert tied the score at 115-all before the Timberwolves took a 117-115 on two freebies by Edwards. The Kings still had a chance to win it but Keegan Murray missed his triple try.
Edwards finished the game with 32 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with seven rebounds and four assists as the Timberwolves improved to a 1-1 win-loss slate.
Julius Randle led the way for Minnesota with 33 points, converting five three-pointers as well, while Naz Reid contributed a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan top-scored for the debuting Kings with 26 points, Domantas Sabonis added 24 markers, while Murray, Monk, and DeAarox Fox had 23, 17, and 15 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, Klay Thompson had a decent Dallas Mavericks debut as they cruised to a 120-109 victory over San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Thompson, a four-time NBA champion during his 13 years with Golden State Warriors, finished with 22 points, including six three-pointers, to go with seven rebounds and three steals for the Mavericks.
Luka Doncic tallied 28 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, Kyrie Irving and Derrick Lively II had 15 apiece, while PJ Washington Jr. and Jaden Hardy ended with 11 each.
Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie top-scored for the Spurs with 18 points apiece, while Harrison Barnes and Victor Wembanyama ended with 17 each in the loss./PN
BOX SCORE:
MINNESOTA 117 — Randle 33, Edwards 32, Reid 19, Alexander-Walker 9, DiVincenzo 9, Conley 6, McDaniels 6, Gobert 3, Ingles 0.
SACRAMENTO 115 — DeRozan 26, Sabonis 24, Murray 23, Monk 17, Fox 15, Lyles 3, Len 3, Huerter 2, Ellis 2, McDermott 0.
Quarterscores: 29-32, 55-59, 89-88, 117-115.
