The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Dallas Mavericks 133-94 on Thursday marking their fifth win and the team’s most lopsided victory of the season. LaMelo Ball led Minnesota with 22 points and nine assists, while the Timberwolves outscored Dallas by 44 points at the game’s peak.
Timberwolves dominate Mavericks at Target Center
Minnesota built a commanding lead early, shooting 61% from the floor during the first half to enter halftime with a 67-52 advantage. The Timberwolves extended that lead significantly in the third quarter, outscoring Dallas 36-17 to reach a 103-69 cushion, according to [NBA.com].
Bones Hyland provided a spark off the bench, scoring 24 points, while Ayo Dosunmu added 18 points. Jaden McDaniels contributed 16 points and Jonathan Kuminga finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, helping Minnesota secure their seventh straight victory over the Mavericks.
Mavericks struggle to find rhythm
Dallas saw its three-game winning streak end as the team struggled to sustain offensive momentum, shooting 37% for the night, [NBA.com] reported. Zaccharie Risacher led the Mavericks with 22 points as a reserve, but starters struggled to produce.
Cooper Flagg, who entered the game following a 43-point performance against Indiana, was held to 12 points. Kyrie Irving finished with 10 points, while Naji Marshall added 13. Heading into the matchup, the Mavericks held a 7-4 record and were averaging 114.9 points per game, according to [Fadeaway World].
Timberwolves outscored Mavericks in paint and bench points
The Timberwolves controlled the interior and the transition game throughout the contest. Minnesota scored 74 points in the paint compared to 42 for Dallas, and their bench outscored the Mavericks 54-52, per [NBA.com].
| Team | Points in Paint | Bench Points | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | 42 | 52 | 94 |
| Minnesota | 74 | 54 | 133 |
Questions regarding the team performance
Dallas shot 37% from the field and struggled to overcome Minnesota’s defensive pressure, which held key contributors like Cooper Flagg to 12 points, according to [NBA.com]. The Mavericks were also playing without Dereck Lively II, who was sidelined with a foot injury, as noted by [Fadeaway World].
What is the status of the Timberwolves’ injury report? Minnesota played without Anthony Edwards, who was out with a knee injury, and Donte DiVincenzo, who is sidelined with an Achilles injury, [Fadeaway World] reported.
Upcoming schedule for both teams
The Mavericks are scheduled to visit Cleveland on Saturday, November 14. The Timberwolves will host Chicago on the same day, [NBA.com] stated.