Anthony Edwards put on a masterclass at Target Center on Tuesday night, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 117-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies before a crowd of 17,416. Minnesota trailed by nine after the first quarter but steadily took control, outscoring Memphis by 24 points across the middle two quarters to secure a win that moves the Wolves to 39-23 on the season.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Memphis Sets the Tone (MEM 32 – MIN 23)

The Grizzlies came out with energy and purpose on the road, posting 32 first-quarter points to build a nine-point advantage. Minnesota’s offense struggled to find its rhythm early, with the Wolves shooting well below their season norms in the opening frame. Memphis’s ball movement — the Grizzlies would finish with 27 assists on the night — was sharp from the opening tip.

Second Quarter: Timberwolves Respond (MEM 30 – MIN 34)

Minnesota steadied itself in the second quarter, outscoring Memphis 34-30 to trim the halftime deficit to just five points (62-57). Edwards began to assert himself offensively, and the Wolves found better spacing as the half progressed. Memphis maintained its three-point shooting pace — the Grizzlies attempted 38 threes on the night and connected on 15 — but Minnesota’s defense tightened heading into the locker room.

Third Quarter: Minnesota Takes Control (MEM 20 – MIN 32)

The third quarter was the decisive stretch of the game. Minnesota outscored Memphis 32-20, flipping a five-point deficit into a seven-point lead heading into the final frame. Edwards was at his best during this run, and the Timberwolves’ defensive intensity elevated noticeably, holding Memphis to just 20 points — their lowest-scoring quarter of the evening. Rudy Gobert’s presence in the paint was a key factor in disrupting Memphis’s interior attack.

Fourth Quarter: Wolves Hold On (MEM 28 – MIN 28)

The fourth quarter was evenly contested at 28 points apiece, with Memphis making a push to close the gap but unable to fully erase Minnesota’s advantage. The Timberwolves managed the clock effectively down the stretch, converting at the free-throw line — finishing 27-of-34 (79.4%) — to preserve the seven-point final margin.

Key Performers

Anthony Edwards (MIN) — 41 PTS, 6 REB, 5 STL

Edwards led all scorers with 41 points, adding 6 rebounds and a game-high 5 steals in a performance that was as impactful on the defensive end as it was on offense. His ability to generate turnovers proved critical in swinging momentum during the second half. Edwards continues to be the engine of everything Minnesota does.

Rudy Gobert (MIN) — 12 REB

Gobert led all players with 12 rebounds, anchoring a Timberwolves team that dominated the glass 52-33 over Memphis. That rebounding margin was one of the most telling statistical differences of the night, limiting the Grizzlies’ second-chance opportunities throughout the contest.

Donte DiVincenzo (MIN) — 6 AST

DiVincenzo led Minnesota in assists with 6, providing steady playmaking and spacing that complemented Edwards’s individual brilliance. His performance was a reminder of the depth Minnesota brings beyond its star players.

Jaylen Wells (MEM) — 19 PTS

Wells led Memphis in scoring with 19 points, providing the Grizzlies’ most consistent offensive output. His performance was encouraging for a young Memphis squad, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Minnesota’s second-half defensive adjustments.

GG Jackson (MEM) — 12 PTS, 11 REB

Jackson delivered a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, earning the team’s top overall rating per ESPN’s metrics. His rebounding effort was a bright spot for Memphis, though the team’s 33 total rebounds paled in comparison to Minnesota’s 52.

Walter Clayton Jr. (MEM) — 9 AST

Clayton Jr. was Memphis’s most active facilitator, finishing with 9 assists. His ability to push pace and find teammates helped Memphis accumulate 27 team assists, a respectable figure that nonetheless couldn’t offset their struggles in the paint and on the boards.

Game Analysis

This game was defined by one overwhelming statistical category: rebounding. Minnesota’s 52-33 edge on the glass was the clearest illustration of how the Timberwolves took control after a difficult first quarter. Memphis’s perimeter-oriented approach — 38 three-point attempts, connecting on 15 (39.5%) — was competitive, but the Grizzlies couldn’t generate enough second opportunities to sustain their early momentum.

Minnesota shot 47.6% from the field and 29.4% from three — below Memphis’s three-point percentage for the night — but the Wolves’ ability to attack the free-throw line (34 attempts to Memphis’s 29) and dominate the offensive glass gave them a consistent points-per-possession advantage in the second half. Edwards’s 5 steals were also a major factor, as his defensive activity generated easy transition opportunities that Memphis had no answer for.

For Memphis, the third quarter remains an area of concern. Opponents have found ways to impose their will on the Grizzlies in that frame throughout the season, and Tuesday night was another example. Giving up a 32-20 third quarter on the road effectively cost them any chance at a comeback.

Standings and Series Implications

With the victory, Minnesota improves to 39-23, maintaining their position as one of the Western Conference’s more reliable postseason contenders. Their 21-11 home record at Target Center underscores how difficult they are to beat on their own floor. Memphis falls to 23-37, a record that leaves them well outside playoff contention as the March stretch run approaches. For the Timberwolves, this win keeps the pressure on teams ahead of them in the Western Conference standings, while Edwards’s 41-point performance serves as a timely reminder of just how dangerous this roster can be when its best player is locked in.