The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a decisive 40-point victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night. Anthony Edwards led the charge with 37 points, setting an aggressive tone for the team.
In a lopsided matchup, the Timberwolves dominated the Jazz, showcasing their offensive firepower. Edwards, encouraged by coach Chris Finch to be aggressive, delivered a standout performance that highlighted his role as the team's leading light.
Finch praised Edwards post-game, telling Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic: “He’s our leading light. He’s got to be aggressive, and he’s got to be himself.” The win comes as Minnesota aims to build momentum early in the season.
On the other side, Lauri Markkanen had a subdued outing, scoring just 12 points in 21 minutes despite his season average of 28.3 points, a career high. Jazz coach Will Hardy remains optimistic about Markkanen's versatility, noting to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated: “He can truly play any style. You could name any All-Star player, and I would say Lauri could play with them. Because he doesn’t dribble too much… Lauri gives us a lot of flexibility.”
Hardy has emphasized urgency with the 3-6 Jazz, stating: “I feel like I need to give the team the urgency every single night to not let moments pass them by. Nothing’s guaranteed.” This loss underscores the challenges facing Utah as they seek to improve their standing.