Timberwolves Dominate Short-Handed Mavericks 118-103: Edwards' 38 Points Lead Rout
By SportSphere24 Editorial Team | Updated: Jan 29, 2026
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves capitalized on a Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks squad, cruising to a 118-103 victory at the Target Center. Anthony Edwards put on a scoring clinic with 38 points, reaffirming Minnesota's place as a Western Conference contender.
The Scoreboard: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Dallas Mavericks | 22 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 103 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 30 | 32 | 34 | 22 | 118 |
Game Analysis: Ant-Man Takes Over
This game was a tale of two teams: one surging with its full arsenal, the other battling valiantly but ultimately outmatched without its MVP.
1. Anthony Edwards: Unstoppable Force
"Ant-Man" was in peak form, hitting tough jumpers and driving relentlessly to the basket. His 38 points came on an efficient 14-of-25 shooting, including 5 three-pointers, demonstrating why he's climbing MVP ladders.
"We knew they were without Luka, so the message was to be aggressive from the jump," Edwards told TNT post-game.
2. Mavericks' Valiant Effort Without Luka
Dallas, still reeling from Luka Doncic's ankle injury (sustained against the Cavaliers), showed grit despite the uphill battle.
Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 28 points and 7 assists, attempting to carry the offensive load.
Dereck Lively II continued to impress with 16 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his growth as a rim protector and finisher.
However, the absence of Doncic's playmaking and scoring proved too significant to overcome against a top-tier Timberwolves defense.
3. Timberwolves' Balanced Attack
Beyond Edwards, Minnesota saw strong performances from its supporting cast:
Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 8 rebounds.
Rudy Gobert was a defensive anchor with 12 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
The Timberwolves' bench also contributed valuable minutes, ensuring Dallas never truly threatened a comeback.
Stat Leaders & Performance Metrics
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
| Anthony Edwards | MIN | 38 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Kyrie Irving | DAL | 28 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | 21 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Dereck Lively II | DAL | 16 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Rudy Gobert | MIN | 12 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 4 |