The long journey that is the NBA season finally comes to an end. After 81 games, and numerous ups and downs over the past five and a half months, the Minnesota Timberwolves closed their regular season schedule against the Utah Jazz, needing a win to clinch a top-six seed and a spot in the NBA Playoffs.
With the Timberwolves needing a win, and the Jazz sitting most of their best players, the Wolves entered the game as 23.5-point favorites, the largest spread for any NBA team in over 15 years. The last time an NBA team lost as a favorite of 20 or more points was on March 21, 1992 when Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls lost to the Orlando Magic, who finished that season 21-61.
Similar to Friday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, the Wolves allowed the other team to take the early lead as the Jazz went up 8-2 early in the first quarter. Minnesota responded by closing the quarter with a 28-16 run including a 3-point barrage from Donte DiVincenzo.
In the second quarter, the Timberwolves offense went completely ice-cold, going 8-25 from the field including 1-10 from beyond the arc. The Wolves only turned the ball over three times, but were unable to find the bottom of the basket consitently.
Minnesota finished the quarter with only 20 points, allowing Utah back into the game. The Jazz would build a lead as high as three before the Wolves were able to use their defense to create open looks on the offensive to take a slim 50-49 lead heading into halftime.
The third quarter was a complete flip for the Wolves offense as they scored 40 points, doubling their amount from the previous quarter. The 3-point shooting that was so absymas to that point in the game finally turned around as Minnesota made four of their eight attempts from deep to take a 90-77 lead heading into the final quarter of the regular season.
In the fourth quarter, with the Wolves in control, Anthony Edwards made his sixth and seventh 3-pointers of the game, giving him the league lead in 3-pointers made for the season. The first of which was an and-1 that put the Wolves up by 18 points.
Despite a late push from the Jazz, the Wolves’ lead proved to be enough as the Wolves never let the Jazz back into the game as the Timberwolves would go on to win 116-105, clinching a spot in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
Edwards was sensational the entire game, finishing with 43 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Rudy Gobert has another strong game with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Brice Sensabaugh led the Jazz in scoring with 22 points.
This story will be updated throughout the night after coach and player media availabilities.
Up Next
It came down to the final game of the NBA season, but the Wolves playoff opponent is finally set. After the Los Angeles Clippers took down the Golden State Warriors in overtime, the Wolves landed as the sixth seed setting up a matchup with LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The full playoff schedule is yet to be announced, but Game One of the Wolves’ playoff series will begin on either Saturday, April 19 or Sunday, April 20.
