Anthony Edwards delivered another signature performance on Tuesday night, scoring 34 points and draining five three-pointers to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Portland Trail Blazers 124-121 at Moda Center in Portland. The victory, played in front of 17,581 fans, marks Minnesota’s fourth win in their last five games and underscores the Timberwolves’ ability to grind out close results on the road when their star guard is locked in.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Minnesota Sets the Tone (MIN 33 – POR 27)
The Timberwolves came out with energy and purpose in the opening period, building a six-point advantage by the end of the first frame. Edwards was active early, pushing the pace and getting to his spots, while Portland struggled to find consistent offense against Minnesota’s defensive structure. The 33-27 cushion gave Minnesota a comfortable, if not commanding, early lead.
Second Quarter: Portland Responds (MIN 29 – POR 32)
The Trail Blazers regrouped at the break and outscored the visitors 32-29 in the second period, trimming the deficit heading into halftime. Portland’s ball movement improved and they began to attack Minnesota in the paint, setting the tone for what would become a competitive second half. The teams went into the locker room with Minnesota holding a narrow three-point edge, 62-59.
Third Quarter: Portland Takes the Slimmest of Leads (MIN 34 – POR 35)
The third quarter was the game’s most evenly contested stretch, with Portland edging Minnesota 35-34 to briefly pull ahead. The Blazers’ crowd was energized as the home team showed real fight, converting on second-chance opportunities and getting contributions from across the roster. Heading into the final frame, Portland held a one-point advantage — a remarkable turnaround from the opening-period deficit.
Fourth Quarter: Timberwolves Seal It (MIN 28 – POR 27)
With the game on the line, Minnesota’s experience and the clutch factor of Anthony Edwards proved to be the difference. The Timberwolves outscored Portland 28-27 in the fourth to reclaim the lead and hold on for the three-point win. Portland had their chances down the stretch, but Minnesota’s defense stiffened when it mattered most, and Edwards made enough plays to ensure the Wolves walked away with the result.
Key Performers
Anthony Edwards (MIN) — 34 Points, 5 Three-Pointers
Edwards was the central figure all night. His 34-point effort, punctuated by five made three-pointers, gave Minnesota the firepower needed to absorb Portland’s second-half run. Edwards’ ability to create his own shot — both off the dribble and in spot-up situations — kept the Timberwolves offense humming when other contributors went quiet. In close games on the road, there are few guards in the NBA better suited to carry a team, and Edwards reminded everyone of that on Tuesday.
Jrue Holiday (POR) — 22 Points (Team Leader)
On the Portland side, veteran guard Jrue Holiday led the Blazers with 22 points and provided steady two-way play throughout the contest. Holiday’s veteran composure kept Portland in the game during the Timberwolves’ strong first quarter, and he remained a consistent presence offensively as Portland mounted their second-half charge. At 35 years old, Holiday continues to demonstrate he can still contribute meaningfully on a nightly basis.
Donovan Clingan (POR) — 11 Points, 16 Rebounds, 3 Steals
Portland center Donovan Clingan was the Blazers’ most impactful player by overall contribution, logging 11 points, a game-high 16 rebounds, and three steals. His presence on the glass — reflected in Portland’s team total of 44 rebounds — kept possessions alive and gave the Blazers extra opportunities in the paint. Clingan’s 40.45 game-rating was the highest of any player on either team, a testament to his all-around dominance on both ends of the floor despite the loss.
Scoot Henderson (POR) — Team-High 5 Assists
Young point guard Scoot Henderson led Portland in assists with five, helping to facilitate the Blazers’ ball movement and keep the offense organized. While the final result didn’t go Portland’s way, Henderson showed growth as a playmaker and complemented Holiday well in the backcourt.
Game Analysis
This game came down to one simple factor: Anthony Edwards. Portland played well enough to win — they out-rebounded Minnesota, shot 47.2% from the field, knocked down 14 of their 35 three-point attempts (40.0%), and had a legitimate chance to close out the road team in the fourth quarter. That they still lost by three points speaks to the individual difference-making ability Edwards brings to Minnesota’s lineup.
Minnesota also benefited from a cohesive team effort. The Timberwolves finished with 27 assists on the night, a sign of a team that moved the ball effectively and created quality looks rather than relying solely on isolation offense. Their ability to share the basketball meant that when defenses loaded up on Edwards, others were positioned to contribute.
Portland’s effort deserves acknowledgment. Coming from six points down after one quarter to take a brief third-quarter lead is no small feat, and the Blazers’ 44-rebound performance gave them a meaningful edge on the boards. But the Timberwolves’ composure in the fourth, led by their franchise guard, was ultimately too much to overcome.
It is worth noting that Portland shot 76.7% from the free-throw line (23-of-30), which kept them in the contest late. Had the Blazers converted at a higher clip, the final margin might have been even tighter — or the result could have swung Portland’s way entirely.
Standings and Series Context
With the win, Minnesota improves to what has been a solid recent stretch — four wins in five games — as the Timberwolves work to solidify their positioning in the Western Conference. The Wolves demonstrated on Tuesday that they can win on the road in tightly contested games, a quality that will matter significantly as the season winds toward its final weeks.
For Portland, the loss drops the Trail Blazers to 28-31 on the season (16-15 at home, 12-16 on the road). The Blazers are very much in the thick of the Western Conference play-in picture, and performances like this — competitive throughout but without the closing ability to finish off a quality opponent — define their ceiling right now. If Clingan continues his development and Holiday stays healthy, Portland has the pieces to make a late push. But Tuesday was a reminder that a game-changing closer is the one ingredient this roster still lacks.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers do not have an immediate rematch scheduled. Tuesday’s game was broadcast nationally on Peacock.
