Anthony Edwards scored 36 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 29 to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 130-117 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game of of the Western Conference playoff series.
Edwards’ 36 points are tied with Derek Rose for the fourth most points in a player’s first career playoff game. The record was set in 2020 by Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who scored 42 in his postseason debut.
Patrick Beverley ended the game with 10 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Malik Beasley scored 21 points off the bench, Jaden McDaniels finished with 15 points and D’Angelo Russell finished with 11 points and eight assists.
Minnesota scored 41 points in the first quarter, fueled by Edwards’ 11 points and Towns’ 13. They shot 50% from the field and hit 16 of 41 threes.
The 1-0 series lead is the first playoff series lead for the Timberwolves since they led the best-of-seven series against the Sacramento Kings in 2004, and just the second playoff victory for the franchise in the last 18 years.
Up next: Game 2 is at Memphis on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised on Bally Sports North and NBA TV.
