Playing in South Florida on Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves picked up one of their most unique wins of the 2024-25 season. Coming in having won three games in a row, the Wolves reached their third four-game winning streak of the season after leaving Kaseya Center with a win against the Miami Heat.
It was rumored that Rudy Gobert could potentially make his return in this one, after missing nearly the last month with a lower back injury. Had Gobert returned, it would have marked the first time since the middle of January that Minnesota would have entered a game with their entire roster healthy. But seeing as he did not suit up on Friday, the Timberwolves had to manage without him.
They came out with another numeral added to their win column, but it was far from easy. The Heat battled hard, holding a three-point lead midway through the fourth quarter before Minnesota put together a strong closing performance. If you just look at the box score for this game, you will notice something right away - there were no outstanding statistical performances from the Timberwolves' side of things, despite their win.
First win in franchise history where no Wolves player scored over 15
Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo and Mike Conley tied as the team's leading scorers with just 15 apiece. According to Opta Stats, Minnesota's win over Miami was the first time in franchise history the Wolves have taken home a victory in a game where their top scorer did not register over 15 points in the contest. In the history of the franchise, that scenario had occurred 39 times, with Minnesota losing all 39 up until Friday.
It was certainly a strange win, but one that the Timberwolves needed regardless of the fashion it was achieved in. Anthony Edwards once again played the most minutes of any player on the roster, despite missing the beginning of the second half. Chris Finch said that Edwards "wasn't feeling well," but he would return to the contest after a brief absence, and seemed to be better after the game.
Minnesota came into Friday a half game behind the Golden State Warriors for sixth place in the Western Conference standings, and they are now tied for that crucial spot. Wins like this one where the Timberwolves found a way to get it done despite bizarre circumstances is a good sign for the rest of the regular season.