Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 38 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves handed the Boston Celtics their first loss of the season, a 114-109 overtime decision Monday night in Minneapolis.
Edwards also had nine rebounds and seven assists for the Timberwolves, who outscored the Celtics 13-8 in overtime. Minnesota led 106-105 in OT and Edwards extended the advantage to 112-105 by making jump shots on three consecutive possessions.
Jayson Tatum scored a team-high 32 points for the Celtics, who received 26 points from Jaylen Brown and 20 from Kristaps Porzingis. Boston entered the game averaging an NBA-best 126.4 points per game.
Jaden McDaniels had a 20-point performance for the Timberwolves, who received 14 points and 12 rebounds from Rudy Gobert. Karl-Anthony Towns was held to seven points, but had 10 rebounds before he fouled out with 3:56 remaining in overtime.
Edwards hit a 3-pointer to give the Timberwolves a 90-88 lead with 6:35 to play. It was the start of an 8-2 spurt that gave the Timberwolves a 95-90 lead with 5:02 remaining in the fourth.
Brown’s 3-pointer capped a 9-2 run that put Boston in front 101-98, but McDaniels tied the score, 101-101, on a 3-pointer with 1:41 remaining in the fourth. Neither team scored again in regulation.
Minnesota led 29-26 after one quarter, but the Celtics had a 55-52 lead at halftime. The Timberwolves outscored the Celtics 27-19 in the third quarter and had a 79-74 advantage entering the fourth.
The Timberwolves won despite missing 12 of their 25 free throw attempts and committing 24 turnovers.
Boston guard Derrick White missed his second straight game for personal reasons, reportedly the birth of his second child. White is averaging 15.8 points and 4.3 assists in four games with the Celtics this season.
The Celtics (5-1) were the last unbeaten team in the NBA.
–Field Level Media