Rudy Gobert controlled the paint, feasting on Washington's bigs. Edwards ignited the offense as the Timberwolves delivered a dominant performance.
The Washington Wizards opened 2026 on the right track, starting with a 20-point win against Brooklyn to pick up the sixth win in the last ten games. Game two of the three-game homestand gave the Wizards a chance to stack momentum, but that failed to materialize.
Tonight felt much more like early-season nights. Ones where Washington never really had a shot.
Rudy Gobert and the Minnesota Timberwolves proved to me a matchup nightmare for the Wizards, as they dominated them, 141-114
Gobert put up 18 points and 14 rebounds, disrupting the interior every play. He also blocked four shots.
Anthony Edwards was up his usual tricks, he scored 35 points in 30 minutes. 16 of his 35 came in the game’s opening quarter.
Washington's offense looked sloppy in the early minutes, amassing four turnovers in the game's first five minutes. After an early Wizards timeout, they found some more comfortability on the offensive end.
Anthony Edwards and Bilal Coulibaly went after one another early and often. Edward, who entered the game averaging 32 points per night over his last six games, went off in the quarter. He finished with 16 points in the opening frame.
Washington allowed 38 points in the quarter and trailed by ten. Minnesota also utilized multiple second-chance opportunities to pace out in front.
The Wizards struggled on the defensive glass often in the first half. In the game's first 18 minutes, they allowed 7 offensive rebounds. Rudy Gobert seemingly disrupted everything on the glass, whether it was Alex Sarr, or Marvin Bagley III trying to stop him.
Minnesota finished with a +16 rebounding margin, and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds in the game. It also capitalized on second-chance opportunities with 25 in the game.
The Timberwolves grew their lead to 14 quickly, as the Wizards struggled to string together stops. Gobert abused the Wizards. Sarr and others had a difficult time matching his physicality. Minnesota's 15-4 lead helped them pull away by as much as 18 in the first half.
Minnesota closed the half up by 15. Gobert dominated the half with 14 points and 10 boards. He also swatted away three Wizards' shots.
The third quarter was the same story. The offensive rebound total quickly rose to 13. Washington had no answer, and not any other options. It turned to Tristan Vukcevic for a couple of spot minutes, but similar results ensued. The Timberwolves kept extending their lead.
Edwards danced and dazzled his way to thirty two points by the end of the third quarter. Washington fell behind thirty points. It felt more like the early-season Wizards. Sarr's rough night felt like a major teaching moment for him. At times, he's struggled to handle physical matchups with strong bigs.
As he gets older and stronger, the Wizards hope he cleans that part of his game up. The Timberwolves lead quickly ballooned to 37 early in the fourth. Washington's only lead came with 10 minutes left in the first quarter.
With the loss, the Wizards fall to 9-26 and are back in action on Tuesday against the Orlando Magic.