Physical pressure and a dominant third quarter propelled the Timberwolves, leaving the Mavericks struggling to find rhythm and answers.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks spent most of Wednesday night trying to solve problems that surfaced almost immediately, and by the time answers arrived, the Minnesota Timberwolves had already built too much separation to close.
Minnesota improved to 29-19 on the season and 13-11 on the road, using a physical defensive approach and a decisive third quarter to separate. Dallas fell to 19-28 overall and 14-13 at home, dropping its second straight game after winning four in a row.
The game’s shape was apparent almost immediately. Minnesota led 31-29 after the opening quarter, but Dallas’ offense never fully settled. While the Mavericks tied a season high with 19 rebounds in the first quarter and matched a season-best with nine offensive rebounds in a single period, their early possessions were disrupted by Minnesota’s pressure on the ball.
Jason Kidd pointed to that physicality as the tone-setter.
“They played off the dribble. A lot of times the catch-and-shoot wasn’t there,” Kidd said. “They were physical. We started off with turnovers right off the bat. That didn’t help us.”
Dallas’ activity inside kept the game close early, but Minnesota found cleaner looks as the second quarter unfolded. Julius Randle repeatedly punished switches and gaps in coverage, helping the Timberwolves outscore Dallas 27-19 in the period. Randle’s two free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining sent Minnesota into halftime with a 58-48 lead.
The Mavericks’ offensive struggles were reflected on the stat sheet. Dallas shot just 34.9% from the floor in the first half and went 2-for-10 from three-point range, while Minnesota absorbed the rebounding disadvantage and stayed composed. Dallas’ interior success was real, but it came without the perimeter balance needed to shift momentum.
Any chance of a reset disappeared in the third quarter. Randle scored 11 points in the period, continuing to find space in the midrange and finish through contact. Anthony Edwards added nine points and six assists overall, orchestrating Minnesota’s offense as the Timberwolves pushed the lead to 92-75 entering the fourth.
Dallas briefly showed resistance. A 7-0 run midway through the third quarter trimmed the deficit to eight, sparked by Naji Marshall attacking downhill and finishing through contact. The response from Minnesota was immediate and decisive. A 12-3 run closed the quarter, capped by a final-second tip-in that restored control and drained any lingering momentum from the building.
Naz Reid’s presence loomed throughout that stretch. Coming off the bench, Reid finished with 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting, repeatedly punishing defensive breakdowns and spacing the floor. He opened the fourth quarter with a short jumper and a three-pointer that pushed the lead back to 15, and Minnesota never allowed the margin to shrink again.
P.J. Washington Jr. led Dallas with 21 points, all coming in the second half, in his first start since Jan. 14. After a quiet opening half, Washington played with noticeable force and intent, attacking mismatches and finishing at the rim. He added seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, tying his sixth-highest scoring output of the season.
“Just come out and be more aggressive,” Washington said. “I was real passive. I’m not at my best when I’m like that, so my teammates encouraged me to come out and be aggressive.”
Washington acknowledged the broader challenge of rediscovering rhythm after extended time away.
“Obviously, we haven’t really played basketball a lot the past couple months,” he said. “Just trying to get a rhythm back, get our conditioning back, get a feel for everybody out there. Tonight felt a little bit better for me.”
Marshall continued a strong stretch, finishing with 18 points and six rebounds while embracing the physical battle with Randle on both ends. His mindset was straightforward.
“Be aggressive,” Marshall said. “He already has the advantage. He’s stronger and taller than me. I was just trying to match his energy.”
Brandon Williams added 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists off the bench, giving him a career-best 10 games this season with at least 15 points as a reserve. Caleb Martin contributed across the stat sheet with a season-high eight rebounds to go along with four points, five assists, and two steals.
Despite the loss, Dallas consistently found success inside. The Mavericks scored 60 points in the paint, marking the 16th time this season they’ve reached that total, a figure they’ve surpassed in only one season over the past decade. That interior dominance, however, was offset by Minnesota’s perimeter efficiency. The Timberwolves finished 12-of-34 from three-point range, while Dallas managed just 3-of-18.
Kidd also noted how Minnesota’s defensive focus on Max Christie further strained Dallas’ offensive flow.
“You’ve got to be able to pass it to take advantage of some of the open guys,” Kidd said. “Tonight we just weren’t able to do that.”
Randle sealed the outcome with a layup that pushed Minnesota’s lead to 116-103 with 2:39 remaining, punctuating a night in which the Timberwolves consistently answered every Dallas push.
For the Mavericks, the effort level and physicality were present, particularly on the glass and in the paint. But Wednesday’s loss underscored how thin the margin becomes when early execution falters, and perimeter shots don’t fall, leaving Dallas once again searching for cleaner starts and more complete offensive balance.