Timberwolves dispatch Jazz, secure top-six seed in West playoffs

Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 43 points in Minnesota's victory on Sunday.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert dunks over Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang in the second quarter at Target Center in Minneapolis on April 13, 2025. / Matt Blewett / Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves didn't make it easy on themselves, but they accomplished their top priority, beating the Utah Jazz 116-105 Sunday at Target Center in Minneapolis to secure a top-six seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The playoff field wasn't officially set until the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors. The Wolves (49-33) are locked into the sixth seed and will face the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

"Told the guys (I'm) super proud of their body of work this year," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. "We didn't make a big trade in the middle of the season to sort things out. We didn't fire coaches to try to sort things out. They sorted out themselves. Those guys made the right adjustments and sacrifices and figured out who they needed to be as a team. We still got a lot in front of us, but all credit to those guys in there because it mattered to them to figure it out, and they did."

It was a slow start Sunday for Minnesota, which nearly took a double-digit lead in the first half, but could never gain separation and led by just one at the halftime break. The Wolves did respond out of the half, however, starting the third quarter with a different level of defensive intensity. About midway through the frame, they finally took a double-digit lead.

Anthony Edwards, who was only able to play after his technical foul against the Brooklyn Nets that would have resulted in another one-game suspension was rescinded, was the driver of the third-quarter run, scoring 18 of his game-high 43 points in the quarter. Edwards was hoped he'd be able to play in the finale, and was critical to Minnesota's winning effort.

In addition to the game-high 43 points, Edwards contributed six boards, five assists and three steals. He also made seven 3-pointers, which thrust him ahead of the Detroit Pistons' Malik Beasley for most made 3s in the NBA this year with 320.

The Jazz (17-65) were severely short-handed, missing Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, John Collins and Walker Kessler, among others. Brice Sensabaugh made six 3-pointers and led the Jazz with a team-high 22 points on Sunday.

Rudy Gobert was a tone setter for the Wolves and played heavy minutes early, making an impact on both ends, particularly on the glass. He finished the game with 19 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks. Donte DiVincenzo made big shots off the bench on his way to 16 points. Julius Randle added 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

It certainly wasn't the prettiest game from the Wolves, but they accomplished the main goal and avoided appearing in the play-in tournament. Now their focus turns to Luka Doncic, LeBron James and the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

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