Basketball

Edwards, Timberwolves Stun Kings in Thrilling Season Opener

by
Anthony Caldwell
October 25, 2024

Edwards’ Key Free Throws Steal Sacramento’s Opener

In the heart-stopping Thursday night NBA showdown, Anthony Edwards emerged as the hero, sinking critical free throws with a mere 2.4 seconds left on the clock. This unexpected turn of events led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a thrilling 117-115 victory, dampening the Sacramento Kings’ season opener.

Edwards drew a foul from Domantas Sabonis in the heat of the game, and he confidently nailed both free throws, contributing to his impressive 32-point game. The Kings’ Keegan Murray missed a buzzer-beating 3-point attempt, denying Sacramento the salvageable draw.

Randle, Edwards Lead Timberwolves’ Charge

Julius Randle, shining in his second appearance for the Timberwolves since his recent trade from New York, led the game with 33 points. The Wolves bounced back from their opening loss to the Lakers, with Randle displaying a more aggressive gameplay compared to his 10-shot opener.

In a notable debut for Sacramento, Demar DeRozan, freshly signed from Chicago, put up 26 points, while Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray contributed with 24 and 23 points, respectively.

Timberwolves’ Resurgence

The Timberwolves’ victory was kickstarted by Edwards and Naz Reid, who nailed successive 3-pointers, sparking an 11-0 run for Minnesota. This helped them overturn a five-point deficit into a 105-99 lead during the fourth quarter’s midway point.

Timberwolves’ Three-Point Game Shines

In a significant improvement from their season opener, the Timberwolves converted 20 out of 50 attempts from beyond the arc against Sacramento. This followed a less impressive 13 for 41 performance in their previous game. The 91 three-point attempts across the two games mark a historic high for Minnesota’s opening pair of games.

What’s Next for Timberwolves and Kings?

The Timberwolves are set to host their home opener against Toronto on Saturday night. On the other hand, the Kings head to Los Angeles, where they will square off against the Lakers also on Saturday.

Anthony Caldwell

Anthony Caldwell is a sports writer known for his bold opinions and sharp commentary. With a strong focus on basketball and boxing, Anthony's articles are as much about the personalities as they are about the stats. His ability to connect with athletes and tell their stories has made him a standout at 21Sports.com. Outside of writing, Anthony is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys training in various martial arts disciplines.