Timberwolves fend off depleted Hawks 100-92 despite DeAndre Hunter’s career-high 35 points

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and Julius Randle chipped in 20, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves edge out the shorthanded Atlanta Hawks 100-92 on Monday night. Despite a standout performance from DeAndre Hunter, who dropped a career-high 35 points, and Keaton Wallace’s 13, the Hawks were missing key players, including leading scorer Trae Young (hamstring), and starters Dyson Daniels (ankle) and Jalen Johnson (shoulder).

Rudy Gobert contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who struggled with turnovers and shooting in the third quarter, where they had just five field goals. Hunter and the Hawks closed the gap to six, but Atlanta’s rally fell short when Hunter missed a dunk on Gobert with 44 seconds left, a shot that could’ve cut the lead to four.

In a strange twist of fate, a horn fell from the scoreboard at the end of the first quarter, nearly striking Gobert in the head—adding to the game’s chaotic feel.

With Young, Johnson, and Daniels out, this was a key opportunity for Hunter to take on a bigger role against one of the NBA’s top defenses. His 17th game with 20-plus points was the most by any reserve in the league.

Coming off a dominant 133-104 win over Denver just two days earlier, the Timberwolves simply needed to avoid mistakes and injuries. They nearly squandered a 17-point halftime lead, and reserve Nickeil Alexander-Walker limped off with a leg injury during the fourth quarter.

Next up, Atlanta hosts Houston on Tuesday, while Minnesota travels to Phoenix on Wednesday.