The Timberwolves flirted with disaster against the winless Nets on Monday in Brooklyn. The Wolves led the Nets by just three heading into the final frame.
But the Wolves veterans assumed control of the contest in the final frame.
Minnesota shifted to a 2-3 zone that slowed the isolation play of Nets guard Cam Thomas.
The stops led to easy looks on the other end, as the Wolves rolled to a 125-109 victory.
Minnesota scored 34 points in a final frame in which it went 5 for 9 from 3-point range and 11 for 14 from the free-throw line.
Terance Mann #14 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends during the first half at Barclays Center on Nov. 03, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Naz Reid went 3 for 3 in the fourth quarter as part of a 21-point performance. Donte DiVincenzo scored 25 points on the strength of six triples. Jaden McDaniels had 22 points while going 9 for 11 from the field and Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 12 rebounds.
That was all in addition to a triple-double for Julius Randle.
It wasn’t always pretty for Minnesota, but it was effective enough in the end.
Here are takeaways from the win that got the Wolves (4-3) back over .500.
Another slow start
Minnesota trailed Charlotte by six at the break on Saturday before dominating the second half.
While the Wolves led by six at the break Monday, it Brooklyn’s first game this season in which it didn’t trail by double digits at the half.
The Wolves were sloppy with the ball out of the gates and again weren’t impactful enough defensively. That allows teams to build momentum.
Yes, they can rally past the worst ones, but the Lakers loss last week was a reminder it won’t always work that way. Minnesota’s current practices do not represent winning ways.
Brooklyn is really bad
The Nets not only dropped to 0-7 on the season with Monday’s loss, but they’ve given up 117-plus points in each of those defeats.
Their average margin of defeat is 16.
Minnesota’s last two wins are against teams likely to finish in the bottom five in the NBA standings this season. It’s the kickoff of a stretch until Nov. 24 in which the Wolves will play Sacramento thrice, Utah twice and Washington and Phoenix once.
Minnesota will shift gears with a game against a likely playoff team Wednesday in New York against the Knicks.
Randle tallies triple double
Julius Randle took it to heart when Chris Finch noted last season that the best versions of the forward and Anthony Edwards comes when they’re flirting with triple doubles.
That means scoring, yes, but also leaning into playmaking and making a concerted effort to hit the glass.
Randle did all of that Monday, tallying his 15th career triple double. He finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 dimes, the last of which came on a feed to Naz Reid for a corner triple just prior to checking out of the contest with three minutes to play.
Randle’s consistent offensive production thus far this season rivals that of an All-NBA player.
Edwards cleared for contact
Edwards has been cleared for contact just eight days after suffering his hamstring strain. He missed Monday’s game in Brooklyn, and it may be a surprise if he played Wednesday against the Knicks, but the All-NBA guard’s return to action looks closer than the two-week absence originally reported nationally.
Minnesota continues to struggle to deliver good basketball in his absence.
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