Timberwolves, with big games from Naz Reid and Julius Randle, hold off Wizards, 120-109

Chris Hine, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Nov 19, 2025

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The Timberwolves have taken care of every bad team they have faced this season, typically in easy fashion.

Wednesday was a different experience, as the Wolves gave up almost all of a 25-point lead before ultimately getting the win over the Wizards, 120-109, at Target Center.

Some lackadaisical basketball in the third and early fourth quarters allowed Washington (1-13) to cut the Wolves’ to five multiple times, including 109-104 with 3 minutes, 5 seconds remaining.

Anthony Edwards found Rudy Gobert for a bucket near the end of the shot clock before Julius Randle rebounded his own miss from the free-throw line for a layup to extend the lead to nine. Then Donte DiVincenzo provided the dagger with a corner 3 to put the Wolves up 10 with 1:29 left.

The Wolves improved to 10-5, 10-0 against teams under .500.

Randle finished with 32 points while Naz Reid had 28 off the bench.

Reid continues his heater

This homestand has been good for Reid, who has had some strong scoring nights, especially the last three games.

He followed up a 22-point night Monday against Dallas with 28 on Wednesday. He finished 11 for 21 and 5 for 10 from 3-point range.

Edwards’ slump continues

Edwards finished the night with 18 points, but on 6-for-20 shooting, 1-for-8 shooting from 3-point range.

After he didn’t score until late in the second quarter Monday, Edwards came out with the mission to score early. He had 12 points in the first quarter, but he couldn’t resuscitate his slumping 3-point shot (1 for 5 in the first quarter). He finished 4 for 9 in the quarter and had 14 points in the first half.

Then he went 1 for 7, 0 for 3 from deep in the third quarter as the Wizards mounted their comeback. His attempt to find his shot helped facilitate their comeback. Edwards was 2 for 22 from 3-point range in his last three games entering the night.

Unlikely unit plays well

With Jaden McDaniels out because of a wrist injury, Bones Hyland re-entered the rotation and checked into the game with the Wolves up 38-29 with 9 minutes, 37 seconds left in the second quarter. On the floor with him was Rob Dillingham, Reid, Gobert and DiVincenzo. Over the next 3:39, that unit extended the lead 21 with a 14-2 run.

Reid had 18 second-quarter points and finished the first half with 23. That total included 4 for 7 from 3-point range.

Game tightens in third

The Wolves led by 25 at halftime but Edwards’ shooting struggles caused the game to tighten. Washington cut into the Wolves’ lead with a 36-23 third. Kyshawn George had 13 of his team-high 23 points in the third as the Wolves relaxed and played a bit sloppy (four turnovers) coming out of halftime. The Wizards opened with quarter with a 16-5 run.

A rare sight: No McDaniels

The last time McDaniels missed a game was Dec. 8, 2023. He played in all 82 games a season ago and had played in 157 consecutive regular-season games before sitting out Wednesday’s game because of a left wrist sprain. Coach Chris Finch didn’t know how long McDaniels would be out but said the testing on the injury came back “pretty clean.”

“It’s impressive,” Finch said of McDaniels’ games played streak. “It’s almost taken for granted. It’s a credit to his professionalism, durability and his approach to the game.”

Mike Conley started in McDaniels’ place. Terrence Shannon Jr. remained out because of a toe injury.