Timberwolves vs. Magic: Minnesota rolls 115-93 in Orlando despite a 5-of-23 night from Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t need a big night from Anthony Edwards to stay unbeaten. Minnesota beat the Orlando Magic 115-93 on Friday, Oct. 23, at Kia Center in Orlando, leaning on its size and depth while its star struggled to find the basket.

Edwards and Jaden McDaniels each scored 15 points, and Rudy Gobert added 14 points and nine rebounds as the Timberwolves improved to 2-0, their best start since they won their first two games five years ago, according to the Associated Press. Orlando fell to 0-2.

Timberwolves vs. Magic final score

Minnesota never trailed. It led 57-45 at halftime, then put the game away in the third quarter, outscoring the Magic 29-15 to build a 26-point lead. That let coach Chris Finch rest most of his starters, including guard LaMelo Ball, for much of the fourth quarter, the AP reported. Orlando’s 33-point fourth quarter came largely after the outcome was settled.

How did Anthony Edwards play?

Two nights after dropping 45 points on the Miami Heat, Edwards had one of the quieter nights of his career. He hit a 3-pointer for his first points, then missed his next 10 shots from the field, the AP reported.

He finished with:

• 15 points on 5-of-23 shooting
• 2 of 9 from 3-point range, 3 of 4 at the free-throw line
• 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals

NBC Sports noted that Edwards went just 3 of 14 inside the arc, with many of those misses in the paint. Even so, Minnesota was a plus-19 with him on the floor, according to the NBA.com box score.

Wolves dominate the glass

The real difference was rebounding. The Timberwolves outrebounded Orlando 60-43 and held a 21-8 edge on the offensive glass, which produced 17 second-chance points, per the AP. Minnesota also kept the Magic from grabbing a single offensive rebound for the game’s first 19 minutes.

The bench played a big part. Ayo Dosunmu filled the box score with 14 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 13, and Joan Beringer had nine points and nine rebounds, seven of them offensive, in under 15 minutes, according to NBA.com.

Trey Lyles off the bench

Veteran forward Trey Lyles gave Minnesota steady minutes as well. He scored nine points on 3-of-6 shooting, including 2 of 5 from deep, with six rebounds and two assists in about 16 minutes, per the official box score.

Timberwolves vs. Magic player stats

Source: NBA.com box score.

What went wrong for Orlando

The Magic shot 44% from the field but just 20.5% from 3-point range (8 of 39). Franz Wagner went 1 for 6 from deep and Desmond Bane 1 for 9, a combined 2 for 15, the AP reported. Minnesota also scored seven points off seven Orlando turnovers.

Wendell Carter Jr. was the bright spot, scoring 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Paolo Banchero had 14 points and six rebounds but sat out the fourth quarter with right ankle soreness. The team did not immediately give an update on how serious it is.

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