Edwards Scores 26 as Timberwolves Beat Raptors 117-94 in Home Opener

The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Toronto Raptors 117-94 at Target Center in Minneapolis on Sunday night, behind 26 points from Anthony Edwards in the Minnesota home opener. Minnesota improved to 3-0 for the season, while Toronto fell to 2-1.

Minnesota won the first quarter 32-21. Toronto took the second quarter 26-23, which left Minnesota ahead 55-47 at halftime. Minnesota then won the third quarter 35-15 to lead 90-62 entering the fourth, and Toronto took the final quarter 32-27 in a game that was already decided.

A third straight win by at least 20 points

With the win, Minnesota joined the 1962-63 Boston Celtics and the 2004-05 Utah Jazz as the third team in NBA history to win its first three games of a season by at least 20 points each. Minnesota beat Miami by 25 points in its opener and beat Orlando by 22 points on Friday before beating Toronto by 23 points on Sunday.

Edwards led Minnesota with 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting. He added 1 rebound, 3 assists and 4 turnovers. As a team, Minnesota shot 56 percent from the floor and 48 percent from three point range, while Toronto shot 38 percent from the floor and 26 percent from three point range.

Ball and the Minnesota bench provide support

LaMelo Ball scored 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting in only 17 minutes, limited by foul trouble. He added 8 assists, 2 steals and 1 rebound, made 4 three pointers, and Minnesota outscored Toronto by 33 points during his minutes on the floor.

Terrence Shannon Jr. also scored 15 points, on 5-for-6 shooting, with 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Jaden McDaniels added 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. Rudy Gobert finished with 8 points and 13 rebounds, and Jonathan Kuminga scored 13 points. Kuminga and Shannon combined to make 6 of their 7 three point attempts.

A scoreless night for Barnes

Toronto played without Kawhi Leonard. Scottie Barnes went 0-for-12 in 27 minutes and did not score a point, the second scoreless game of his six year NBA career. He added 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals.

JaKobe Walter led Toronto with 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting, with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. RJ Barrett scored 20 points for the Raptors.

Concern over Edwards and his right knee

Edwards was seen favoring his right knee on several occasions. He grabbed at it after a wide open dunk in the second quarter and was again favoring it in the third quarter after he was fouled by Immanuel Quickley in transition, taking a moment on the ground before teammates helped him up. No diagnosis was announced, and the reporting describes an observed concern only, not a confirmed injury.

Edwards missed time last season with inflammation in his right knee and has dealt with runner knee on that side. He separately hyperextended his left knee in last year playoffs and said he took about two months off this offseason to give his knees time to heal.

Minnesota next plays at Cleveland on Monday night.