Anthony Edwards scores 44, Wolves pour in 52 points in 3rd and beat Grizzlies 141-125

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 44 points, including 18 during Minnesota’s franchise-record, 52-point third quarter, and the Timberwolves beat the Memphis Grizzlies 141-125 on Thursday night in a game between teams fighting to avoid the play-in tournament.

Julius Randle added 31 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolves, who broke open the game with the highest-scoring quarter in the NBA this season. Edwards was 5 for 5 in the third and Randle scored 14 points as Minnesota made 18 of 21 shots (85.7%).

Naz Reid finished with 14 points as Minnesota won its sixth in the last seven, and joined the Golden State Warriors and Grizzlies tied in the sixth through eighth spots in the Western Conference at 47-33.

Ja Morant led Memphis with 36 points, showing off a new celebration by pretending to throw a grenade into the crowd after making a 3-pointer. Desmond Bane added 28 and Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 23 as Memphis had its three-game winning streak snapped.

Takeaways

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) handles the ball ahead of Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Timberwolves: Minnesota bounced back after its collapse on Tuesday against Milwaukee, when the Wolves blew a 24-point lead and had their five-game winning streak snapped.

Grizzlies: The Grizzlies had shown life with a three-game winning streak under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo that had them on the verge of avoiding the play-in tournament. The loss may have hurt those chances.

Key moment

Minnesota opened the second half with a 26-5 burst, including 17 straight points. Randle spurred the run hitting his first five shots in the half. The Timberwolves would outscore Memphis 52-25 in the third.

Key stat

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis shot about 50% overall and from 3-point range. But the Grizzlies committed 15 turnovers leading to 23 Minnesota points.

Up next

Both teams play Friday night. The Timberwolves host Brooklyn, while the Grizzlies travel to Denver to face the Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) shots against Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) handles the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) collide in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Memphis Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo, left, talks with guard Ja Morant, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., center, shoots between Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and guard Mike Conley (10) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.
The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.