NBA Recap: Edwards' 36 Points Lead Timberwolves Past Knicks

Anthony Edwards scored 36 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 116-99 win over the New York Knicks, while the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies also secured convincing victories in Friday's NBA action.

The Dallas Mavericks handed the Oklahoma City Thunder their seventh defeat of the season, winning 106-98 in a thrilling matchup on Friday. Kyrie Irving led the charge with 25 points, helping the Mavericks bring the high-flying Thunder back down to earth. Oklahoma City, fresh from their rout of Eastern Conference leaders Cleveland on Thursday, struggled to maintain their momentum against a fired-up Mavericks team.

Irving was instrumental in the Mavericks' victory, scoring 17 points in a dominant 41-point second quarter that allowed Dallas to establish a 64-43 halftime lead. The Thunder, missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to a wrist injury, launched a spirited comeback in the third quarter, drawing level before briefly taking the lead. However, the Mavericks regrouped impressively, outscoring the Thunder 29-22 in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Dallas coach Jason Kidd praised his team's resilience in securing the victory, particularly after watching a 20-point lead evaporate in the third quarter. “We were flat in that third quarter,” Kidd acknowledged. “We said on the bench we needed to stay the course, and stay together, and in the fourth quarter, we did.” Kidd also expressed admiration for the Thunder's talent, saying, “We feel like we have a talented team, and they have a talented team. So, I thought tonight was a really good test for our group.”

The win improved the Mavericks' record to 23-19, while the Thunder remain top of the Western Conference with a 34-7 record. Despite the absence of injured star Luka Doncic, the Mavericks demonstrated their ability to adapt and overcome adversity, earning a hard-fought victory over one of the league's top teams.

Mavericks Take Down Thunder, Heat Lose on Butler's Return

The Miami Heat's woes continued as they slumped to a 133-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets, despite Jimmy Butler's return from a seven-game in-house suspension. Butler, who was suspended after expressing his desire to leave the club, finished with 18 points but was unable to prevent the Heat's defeat. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets to victory with his 17th triple-double of the season, consisting of 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

In other action, the Boston Celtics bounced back from their heaviest loss of the season to dominate the Orlando Magic 121-94. Jayson Tatum scored 30 points, including four three-pointers, six rebounds, and four assists, to lead the Celtics to victory. Kristaps Porzingis added 23 points, while Jaylen Brown contributed 20 points, including a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line.

BOOM. pic.twitter.com/EiKD1NIpjk

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 18, 2025

The Minnesota Timberwolves also secured a convincing win, defeating the New York Knicks 116-99. Anthony Edwards was the star of the show, erupting for 36 points to lead the Timberwolves to victory. The win marked a strong performance by the Timberwolves, who are looking to build momentum in the Western Conference.

Anthony Edwards unleashed a spectacular shooting performance, scoring 36 points to propel the Minnesota Timberwolves to a convincing 116-99 victory over the New York Knicks. Edwards was scorching hot from beyond the arc, connecting on 8-of-13 three-point attempts. Naz Reid also delivered a impressive display off the bench, making all six of his three-point attempts and contributing 23 points to the Timberwolves' winning effort.

ANTHONY EDWARDS TAKES FLIGHT‼️ pic.twitter.com/ZM5VVrhyUk

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 18, 2025

The Milwaukee Bucks issued a stern reminder of their prowess, handing the Toronto Raptors a 130-112 defeat at the Fiserv Forum. This blowout victory marked the Bucks' third consecutive win, driven by standout performances from Giannis Antetokounmpo (35 points) and Damian Lillard (26 points). With this win, the Bucks improved to 23-17 and maintained their grip on fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

In a high-scoring affair, the Memphis Grizzlies overwhelmed the San Antonio Spurs 140-112, despite a valiant defensive effort from Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama showcased his defensive prowess with six blocks, a steal, and 12 rebounds. However, the Grizzlies' balanced offense proved too potent for the Spurs, with six players finishing in double figures. Santi Aldama led the charge off the bench, scoring 29 points to help the Grizzlies secure a dominant victory.