Randle, Gobert Power Wolves Past Short-Handed Pacers After Edwards Exits Early

Julius Randle scored 31 points — 20 of them coming in the first half — and Rudy Gobert added 14 points with 19 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the injury-depleted Indiana Pacers, 114–110, on Sunday night.

Minnesota had to finish the game without star guard Anthony Edwards, who exited early with hamstring tightness just over three minutes into the first quarter. In his absence, Donte DiVincenzo (17 points) kept the backcourt steady, while Naz Reid contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Indiana made a late push behind Pascal Siakam’s 33 points. His 3-pointer with 42 seconds left cut the deficit to 110–108, but Jaden McDaniels responded with a clutch finger roll to extend Minnesota’s lead to four with 20 seconds remaining.

Aaron Nesmith added 18 points for the Pacers, who continue to battle through a wave of injuries. With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the season due to a torn Achilles and Bennedict Mathurin out with a sprained toe suffered the previous night in Memphis, Indiana was left without much of its core.

Starting point guard Andrew Nembhard missed his second straight game with a shoulder strain, leaving the Pacers (0–3) to field a makeshift lineup that included journeyman Jay Huff, reserve big man Isaiah Jackson, and young guard Ben Sheppard.

Minnesota’s home opener carried extra buzz — featuring dramatic stage lighting and the return of their classic all-black, pine-trimmed uniforms from the Kevin Garnett era. The excitement dulled when Edwards exited early, but the Wolves (2–1) regained momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Indiana 28–17 while drawing 11 fouls and committing only three.

Up Next:

• Indiana visits the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
• Minnesota hosts the Denver Nuggets on Monday.