Anthony Edwards showcased his resilience by scoring 31 points despite twisting his ankle, while Mike Conley made a triumphant return to Utah with a season-high 25 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 119-100 victory over the struggling Jazz on Saturday night.
“Someone has to step up every night, and tonight it was also Mike,” Edwards remarked, surpassing Kevin Love for the most 30-point games in a single season with 26.
Edwards suffered a twisted ankle just before halftime when he inadvertently landed on Taylor Hendricks’ foot while driving. Although he limped off the court and headed straight to the locker room, Edwards returned for the second half after keeping his ankle warm and jumping rope during the break.
Despite appearing slightly slowed down, Edwards contributed crucial points in the final two quarters, including four 3-pointers and a circus three-point play.
“Ant has been special, honestly. He has. Just seeing him develop as the season has gone on, it’s been amazing,” Conley praised. Saturday’s game marked Conley’s first appearance in Utah since being traded in February 2023 after four seasons with the Jazz, and he delivered his highest scoring output with Minnesota.
Collin Sexton added 22 points, while Keyonte George contributed 18 for the Jazz, who have now lost four of their last five games. Reflecting on the loss, Utah coach Will Hardy emphasized the need for better ball movement and understanding of the opponent’s defense.
Naz Reid chipped in with 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Wolves, who had to step up in the absence of key players like Karl-Anthony Towns, who was out due to knee surgery.
Despite a resilient effort from the Jazz’s younger players, the Timberwolves managed to maintain control, with Edwards and Conley leading the charge. Omer Yurtseven’s efforts to narrow the gap in the fourth quarter were futile as Minnesota’s efficient offense and stout defense secured the win.
Coach Chris Finch praised Edwards’ aggressive yet efficient performance, highlighting his impressive shooting accuracy from beyond the arc and overall field goals.
With former Jazz center Rudy Gobert sidelined due to sore ribs, Minnesota capitalized on the opportunity to improve their record to 2-2 without him in the lineup.
