The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Utah Jazz 115-100 at Target Center on 9 November 2026, pulling away in the third quarter behind another dominant performance from Anthony Edwards and a decisive advantage in the paint. Edwards finished with 32 points, while Rudy Gobert added 14 points and 16 rebounds against his former team.

Match overview

Minnesota led 29-24 after the first quarter and 58-52 at halftime, with Utah staying close through Lauri Markkanen’s perimeter shooting and Keyonte George’s shot creation. The game changed early in the third quarter when the Timberwolves opened with a 19-4 run, turning a six-point lead into a 77-56 advantage. Utah never recovered fully, though they trimmed the deficit to 12 in the fourth before Minnesota closed it out.

The Timberwolves’ defense was the story of the second half. Minnesota held Utah to 42% shooting after halftime and forced 11 turnovers in the final two quarters. Offensively, Edwards attacked the rim relentlessly, Julius Randle provided a secondary scoring punch, and Gobert controlled the glass at both ends.

Key moments

• Third-quarter surge: Minnesota’s 19-4 run was fueled by three Edwards baskets and a pair of Gobert offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points.
• Randle’s and-one: With Utah threatening to cut the lead to single digits, Randle converted a driving and-one to push the margin back to 15.
• Gobert’s rim protection: The Minnesota center blocked three shots in the fourth quarter, including a critical rejection of Markkanen at the rim.
• Jazz turnover trouble: Utah committed 16 turnovers, leading to 20 Minnesota points.

Standout players

Edwards’ 32 points came on 11-of-21 shooting, and he added five rebounds and four assists. Randle scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds, giving Minnesota a reliable second option when Utah focused on Edwards. Gobert’s 14-point, 16-rebound double-double included six offensive boards, and his presence deterred Utah’s drivers throughout the second half.

Utah were led by Markkanen’s 26 points and eight rebounds, while Keyonte George added 19 points and six assists. Walker Kessler contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, but the Jazz struggled to contain Minnesota’s transition attack and gave up 56 points in the paint.

Tactical story

Minnesota’s half-court offense revolved around Edwards’ penetration and Randle’s mid-post isolations. When Utah helped early, the Timberwolves swung the ball quickly into the corners or found Gobert rolling to the rim. That inside-out balance produced 27 assists on 42 made field goals.

Defensively, Minnesota prioritized protecting the paint and contesting Utah’s three-point shooters without overhelping. The Jazz shot just 11-of-34 from beyond the arc and often settled for contested jumpers when their initial actions were stopped. Minnesota’s rebounding advantage, 52-41, also limited Utah’s second-chance opportunities.

Season impact

The win strengthens Minnesota’s position in the Western Conference standings and extends their strong home form. For Utah, the loss highlights the gap between competitive stretches and full four-quarter execution against elite teams. The Jazz will need more consistent perimeter shooting and better ball security to support Markkanen and George moving forward.