Timberwolves Exorcise Late-Game Demons in Gritty Win Over Celtics
For Timberwolves fans, Saturday night felt all too familiar - and not in a good way. After back-to-back collapses against the Suns and Kings, no lead felt safe.
Not a 12-point cushion with under four minutes left. Not even at home.
Not even with Anthony Edwards doing Anthony Edwards things.
But this time, Minnesota didn’t fold. This time, they dug in.
With 3:50 left on the clock, Edwards knifed through the Celtics’ defense for a layup that put the Timberwolves up 110-98. Given recent history, that margin didn’t inspire much confidence. Just ask anyone who watched Minnesota cough up an eight-point lead in the final minute against Phoenix or watched Sacramento erase a double-digit deficit in the final three minutes to force overtime.
So when Boston stormed back with a 12-0 run in just over two minutes - capped by a Jaylen Brown triple that tied the game at 110 with 1:38 remaining - the Target Center crowd held its collective breath. Déjà vu was setting in hard.
But this time, the Wolves had an answer.
Conley, Edwards Spark Clutch Response
Veteran point guard Mike Conley, who’s been the steady hand this young team needs, stepped up with a massive three to break the tie and stop the bleeding. From there, Edwards took over.
Two calm, confident free throws. Then a dagger three of his own.
Just like that, Minnesota closed the game on a 9-2 run and walked away with a win that felt bigger than the standings could show.
This wasn’t just about snapping a losing streak. It was about proving to themselves - and everyone watching - that they could finish. That they could respond when the pressure was cranked up and the ghosts of recent collapses came knocking.
Avoiding a Four-Game Slide - and Making a Statement
Let’s be clear: this win mattered. Not just because it stopped the bleeding after three straight losses, but because it came against a team with a winning record.
That hadn’t happened yet this season. Minnesota entered Saturday 0-7 against teams above .500.
The Celtics, hovering right at that line, represented a chance to flip the narrative.
And while Boston could dip to .500 depending on how they fare against the Cavaliers, the Timberwolves won’t care. They needed this one. Badly.
At 11-8, Minnesota avoided what would’ve been their first four-game losing streak in a year. That’s more than just a stat - it’s a sign of growth. A sign that this team, which has shown flashes of brilliance and bouts of inconsistency, is learning how to navigate the ups and downs of a long NBA season.
Looking Ahead
The Timberwolves won’t have much time to celebrate. They’re back at it Sunday against the 13-5 Spurs - another test, another winning opponent, another chance to show they’re turning the corner.
But for now, Minnesota fans can exhale. After two gut-wrenching losses that left the fanbase stunned and frustrated, the Wolves finally closed the door when it mattered most. They bent, but they didn’t break.
And on a night where the past threatened to repeat itself, that made all the difference.