Minnesota Timberwolves Beat Atlanta Hawks 136-115
Preview
The Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves entered Monday night's game with the same record and standing in their respective conferences. With serious postseason implications hanging in the balance, Minnesota destroyed Atlanta 136-115.
The lopsided loss was the first egg laid by the Hawks in the Quin Snyder era. Minnesota led for all but 13 seconds of the game. Without Karl-Anthony Towns in action, Anthony Edwards led the young team with 32 points and eight rebounds.
Not only did Atlanta struggle to stop Minnesota, but they also couldn't find any rhythm on offense outside of Trae Young. The floor general poured in 41 points but got little help from his teammates.
Atlanta shot a dismal 45.4% from the field and 18.2% from deep. There was plenty of blame to go around, but Dejounte Murray had a rough outing. Murray tallied 11 points and a game-worst -29 plus/minus.
Atlanta falls to 34-35, while Minnesota improves to 35-34 on the season. Atlanta has a full three days off before they host the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. It was a disheartening loss for Atlanta, and there couldn't be a better time for three consecutive days of practice.
Stats
Hawks Leaders
Trae Young - 41 PTS, 7 AST
Onyeka Okongwu - 16 PTS, 14 REB
De'Andre Hunter - 15 PTS, 2 REB
Timberwolves Leaders
Anthony Edwards - 32 PTS, 8 REB
Mike Conley - 21 PTS, 6 AST
Jaden McDaniels - 19 PTS, 1 REB
