Julius Randle delivered a standout performance in his return to familiar territory, scoring 24 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a dominant 124-94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.
Before the matchup at the American Airlines Center, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch emphasized the challenge of facing a Mavericks side already out of playoff contention but still capable of competing hard.
Dallas, however, struggled to carry momentum from their previous win in Portland. After a solid defensive outing in that game, the Mavericks couldn’t contain Minnesota’s offense, which exploded for 94 points by the end of the third quarter.
The loss dropped Dallas to 24-51 for the season, while Minnesota improved to 46-29, continuing their strong run with five wins in their last seven games.
Timberwolves Dominate on Both Ends
Randle led the charge with an efficient 24-point outing, shooting 9-of-14 from the field. Anthony Edwards added 17 points in his return from a knee injury, while Donte DiVincenzo contributed 15 points.
Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring the defense. Meanwhile, Ayo Dosunmu impressed with a remarkable triple-double — 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists. Naz Reid and Bones Hyland chipped in with 12 points each.
Minnesota set the tone early, taking a 56-46 lead into halftime, with Randle scoring 14 of his points in the opening half. The Timberwolves then blew the game open in the third quarter, outscoring Dallas 38-25 and stretching their lead to as much as 33 points late in the game.
Mavericks Struggle Despite Efforts
For Dallas, Daniel Gafford led the scoring with 21 points and eight rebounds. Brandon Williams added 15 points, along with six rebounds and seven assists.
Rookie Cooper Flagg had a tough night, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-19 shooting, though he did contribute defensively with two blocks.
Timberwolves’ defensive intensity proved too much, as Dallas managed just 34.8% shooting from the field.
Finch Praises Flagg’s Potential
Despite the rookie’s struggles, Finch praised Flagg’s effort and potential, highlighting his energy and physicality.
“He’s got a high motor and embraces the physical side of the game,” Finch said. “As he continues to develop, he’s going to be a special player.”
Playoff Push Continues for Minnesota
With the regular season nearing its end, Minnesota remains focused on securing a strong playoff position. Edwards, who recently returned from injury, will need to feature in the remaining games to meet eligibility criteria for end-of-season awards.
Finch acknowledged the league’s participation rules, noting that while they may feel strict at times, they are ultimately beneficial for maintaining competitive integrity.
For the Timberwolves, though, the biggest takeaway was their dominant performance — powered by Randle’s homecoming brilliance.