Naz Reid Fires Season-High 22 Points as Timberwolves Crush Mavericks 120-96

The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just beat the Dallas Mavericks — they dismantled them. On a chilly Monday night in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves rolled to a 120-96 victory at Target Center, turning what was expected to be a tight Western Conference matchup into a statement win. The game, which tipped off at 7:00 PM Central Time on November 17, 2025, didn’t end until 3:30 AM UTC on November 18 — but by then, the damage was done. And the man who led the charge? Forward Naz Reid, who dropped a season-high 22 points, outplaying Dallas’s depleted roster with relentless energy and precise finishing.

First Three Quarters, One Message

This wasn’t a late-game comeback. This was domination from the opening tip. Minnesota opened with a 34-point first quarter — their highest scoring frame of the season — and never looked back. The Mavericks, already missing key rotation players due to injury and rest, could barely keep pace. They managed just 21, 23, and 22 points in the first three quarters, respectively. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves poured in 27 in the second and a blistering 37 in the third. By the end of the third, the lead was 25 points. The fourth quarter was mostly garbage time, but even then, Minnesota’s bench held firm. The final 22 points in the last frame were more about closing the door than making a statement — which had already been made.

Who’s Missing? Dallas’s Injury Woes

The Mavericks entered this game already thin. Luka Dončić, their franchise cornerstone, sat out with a lingering hamstring strain — his second game missed this month. Kyrie Irving, though active, played just 28 minutes as part of a minutes restriction. And then there was the news that rookie forward Dereck Lively II, their most promising defensive anchor, was sidelined with a sprained ankle. Without those three, Dallas looked like a team playing with one hand tied behind its back. Their bench, usually a strength, mustered just 24 points. No player scored more than 16. It wasn’t just bad shooting — it was bad rhythm, bad spacing, bad decisions. Coach Jason Kidd called it "a lack of identity," and frankly, he’s right. Without their stars, the Mavericks don’t have a clear offensive engine. And against a team like Minnesota, that’s fatal.

Minnesota’s Rising Tide

The Timberwolves, on the other hand, are clicking at the perfect time. With this win, they improved to 9-5, moving into third place in the Western Conference, just 4.5 games behind the league-best Oklahoma City Thunder. Anthony Edwards continues to play like an MVP candidate, adding 26 points and 7 assists. Rudy Gobert, ever the anchor, pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked three shots. But it was Reid — often overlooked, often underappreciated — who stole the spotlight. The 26-year-old forward, who signed a four-year, $52 million extension last summer, has quietly become Minnesota’s most reliable second-unit scorer. His 22 points came on 9-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. He also added 5 rebounds and 3 assists. "Naz plays with a chip," said head coach Chris Finch after the game. "He knows people don’t expect much from him. That’s why he gives everything."

Conference Chaos and Playoff Implications

The Western Conference is a war zone. Seven teams are within three games of each other for the final playoff spots. The Timberwolves’ win puts them firmly in the mix. Meanwhile, the Mavericks — now 4-11 — sit dead last in the West, ahead of only the New Orleans Pelicans (2-12). Their .267 winning percentage is the worst in the conference. They’re now 6.5 games behind the Houston Rockets, who, despite being a young team, have surged to a 9-3 record. The irony? Dallas still has the second-highest payroll in the NBA. They’re spending big. But they’re not winning. And with the trade deadline looming in February, questions are mounting: Will they trade Irving? Will they tank for a top draft pick? Or are they truly committed to a Luka-Kyrie run, even if it means missing the playoffs entirely?

What’s Next for Both Teams?

Minnesota heads into a back-to-back against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, then hosts the Denver Nuggets on Friday — a true test of their contender status. If they can sweep, they’ll be right in the conversation for the top four. Dallas? They fly to Portland for a Tuesday night game, then return home to face the Warriors on Friday. Neither opponent is a playoff lock, but the Mavericks can’t afford more losses like this. One more defeat, and the whispers about a rebuild will turn into shouts.

Target Center, that loud, purple-and-gold fortress on First Avenue North, has become a fortress again. The fans know it. The players know it. And the rest of the league? They’re starting to notice.