The Minnesota Timberwolves’ unbeaten start ended Monday night, but their first loss offered a more revealing test than their first three wins.

Minnesota fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-125 in overtime after letting a 15-point lead slip away. Anthony Edwards scored 47 points, but the Timberwolves couldn’t close out a Cavaliers team that answered repeatedly down the stretch.

The loss dropped Minnesota to 3-1 after it won each of its first three games by at least 20 points. Here are three takeaways from the defeat.

Edwards gave Minnesota the kind of scoring performance that can keep a team in any game. He scored 47 points on 19-of-34 shooting, including five 3-pointers, and added four rebounds and four assists.

He also had a chance to tie the game late in overtime, missing an open 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds remaining. Edwards made another 3 at the buzzer, but Cleveland had already pushed its lead to five.

The miss was a disappointing finish to an outstanding individual performance, though it shouldn’t overshadow how much Edwards did to keep Minnesota within reach.

The bigger concern is how much the Timberwolves needed from him. Jaden McDaniels scored 14 points, and LaMelo Ball finished with 11. When an opposing defense forces Minnesota into a close game, the Timberwolves will need more consistent production around Edwards.

One game doesn’t define the offense, but Monday showed how difficult it can be to win when their leading scorer does so much of the work.

Minnesota built a 15-point lead in the first half, yet Cleveland erased it and outscored the Timberwolves 36-26 in the third quarter. 

That swing changed the game. Instead of protecting a comfortable advantage, Minnesota spent the rest of the night trying to match Cleveland in a tight contest.

The Cavaliers had multiple players contribute to the comeback. Donovan Mitchell finished with 26 points, James Harden had 19 points and nine assists, and Evan Mobley added 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Minnesota was playing the second night of a back-to-back, which is relevant context for its uneven second half. Still, maintaining control against a talented opponent is a challenge the Timberwolves will face throughout the season.

Ball and Rudy Gobert both had difficult offensive nights.

Ball scored 11 points and committed seven turnovers, while Gobert grabbed 20 rebounds but missed all nine of his field-goal attempts and finished with five points.

Gobert’s rebounding remained valuable, but Minnesota could have used a few finishes around the basket in a game decided by two points. Ball’s turnovers also limited the Timberwolves’ opportunities to build on their early lead.

Neither performance calls for an overreaction four games into the season. The Timberwolves are still 3-1, and their first three wins showed what they can look like when things click. Monday offered a useful reminder of what needs to improve when the game gets tighter.