Jaden McDaniels goes for career-high 27 points as Wolves outlast Mavs 115-114
DALLAS, TX – Jaden McDaniels poured in a career-high 27 points, including the game-winning free throw with just 3 seconds left, as the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the shorthanded Dallas Mavericks for a 115-114 win on Wednesday night. Anthony Edwards contributed 21 points in the victory.
With 11.8 seconds remaining, Mike Conley hit two clutch free throws to give the Timberwolves a 114-111 lead. Kyrie Irving then missed a three-pointer, and McDaniels secured the rebound, hitting one of two free throws to extend Minnesota’s lead to four. Irving responded with a running three at the buzzer, but it wasn’t enough.
Irving finished with 36 points, while P.J. Washington Jr. added a season-high 30 for Dallas, who has struggled since losing star Luka Dončić to a calf strain in their Christmas Day loss to the Timberwolves. Since then, the Mavericks have gone 4-11.
Before the game, Dallas announced that center Dereck Lively II is dealing with a stress fracture in his right ankle and will be re-evaluated in a month. Guard Klay Thompson (left ankle sprain) was among four key Mavericks players unavailable due to injuries or illness.
Despite Dallas’ injury woes, the Timberwolves also had limited players, relying on just eight active participants, with seven of them playing more than 26 minutes. Minnesota had six players score in double digits, including Conley, who registered a season-high 18 points.
Irving’s 36 points also marked a milestone as he surpassed 18,000 career points, becoming the 81st player in NBA history to do so.
The Timberwolves and Mavericks are now tied for seventh in the Western Conference at 23-21.
Next up, the Mavericks will face Oklahoma City on Thursday, while the Timberwolves will host Denver on Saturday.