Key Points
- Timberwolves erase 8-point deficit in fourth quarter with 13-0 rally
- Anthony Edwards scores team-high 28 points in crucial home victory
- Paolo Banchero records 43-point double-double in losing effort for Orlando
The Minnesota Timberwolves continued their push for playoff positioning with a dramatic 118-111 comeback victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night. Trailing 90-82 with 10:23 remaining, the Wolves unleashed a decisive 13-0 run fueled by Donte DiVincenzo’s clutch plays, including consecutive reverse layups that electrified the Target Center crowd.
Anthony Edwards anchored Minnesota’s offense with 28 points, while Rudy Gobert controlled the paint with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The victory extends the Timberwolves’ winning streak to seven games as they battle Golden State for sixth place in the competitive Western Conference. Head coach Chris Finch praised his team’s resilience: When our defense locks in during crunch time, we become a different animal.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero delivered a career-best performance, shooting 50% from the field for 43 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Magic struggled to contain Minnesota’s late-game surge, missing six consecutive shots during the Wolves’ decisive nine-point run in the final three minutes.
Strategic Insights
- Bench production proves crucial: DiVincenzo’s 14 points off the bench marked his highest output since joining Minnesota
- Home court advantage: The Wolves improved to 19-14 at Target Center, winning 12 of their last 15 home games
- Youth movement: Banchero’s performance highlights Eastern Conference’s rising stars despite playoff race challenges
The Timberwolves’ current five-game homestand could prove pivotal for postseason seeding. With Utah visiting Sunday night, Minnesota aims to leverage its 20-15 road record – third-best in the West – as potential tiebreaker scenarios loom. Meanwhile, Orlando faces Cleveland in a critical Eastern Conference matchup that could determine play-in tournament positioning.
This victory underscores Minnesota’s improved late-game execution, having won eight of their last nine clutch situations. The Wolves’ +5.2 net rating in fourth quarters ranks fourth league-wide since the All-Star break, a significant improvement from their early-season struggles in close contests.