Timberwolves Dominate Grizzlies with Record-Setting Third Quarter

In an electrifying showdown on Thursday night, Anthony Edwards lit up the court with a staggering 44 points, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 141-125 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This game was crucial for both teams as they aimed to steer clear of the play-in tournament.

Edwards was on fire, especially during the Timberwolves' franchise-record third quarter, where they poured in an incredible 52 points. He went a perfect 5 for 5 in that quarter, while teammate Julius Randle contributed significantly with 31 points and 10 rebounds. Together, they helped Minnesota achieve the highest-scoring quarter in the NBA this season, making 18 of their 21 shots for an impressive 85.7% shooting percentage.

Naz Reid also made his mark, adding 14 points to the scoreboard as the Timberwolves secured their sixth win in the last seven games. With this victory, Minnesota joined the Golden State Warriors and Grizzlies in a tight race for the sixth through eighth spots in the Western Conference, all sitting at 47-33.

On the other side, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points, showcasing a new celebration where he pretended to throw a grenade into the crowd after sinking a 3-pointer. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. also contributed with 28 and 23 points, respectively, but the loss snapped Memphis's three-game winning streak.

The Timberwolves bounced back impressively after a disappointing collapse against Milwaukee earlier in the week, where they squandered a 24-point lead and saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.

For the Grizzlies, the loss was a setback after showing promise under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, who had led them to a three-game winning streak. This defeat could impact their chances of avoiding the play-in tournament.

In the second half, Minnesota opened with a 26-5 run, including 17 consecutive points, with Randle hitting his first five shots. The Timberwolves outscored Memphis 52-25 in that pivotal third quarter.

Despite shooting around 50% overall and from beyond the arc, the Grizzlies struggled with 15 turnovers, which allowed Minnesota to capitalize and score 23 points off those mistakes.

Both teams are back in action on Friday night, with the Timberwolves hosting the Brooklyn Nets and the Grizzlies heading to Denver to take on the Nuggets.