Timberwolves crush short-handed Mavericks 120-96 as Naz Reid erupts for season-high 22 points

The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just beat the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night — they dismantled them. In a commanding 120-96 victory at the Target Center in Minneapolis on November 17, 2025, the Wolves turned a rivalry game into a statement performance, exploiting Dallas’s depleted roster and turning it into their most lopsided win of the season. At the center of it all? Naz Reid, who delivered the best game of his young career: 22 points, 12 rebounds, and a relentless energy that ignited the home crowd. "This," said one broadcast commentator, "is the best game of the year essentially for Naz Reid." And he wasn’t exaggerating.

Reid’s Breakout Night Anchors Wolves’ Dominance

Reid didn’t just score — he controlled the paint. His 12 rebounds tied his season high, and his efficiency (9-of-13 shooting) was the kind of interior presence the Timberwolves have been missing during stretches of this season. When he dunked over two defenders in the third quarter, the arena erupted. Behind him, Jaden McDaniels caught fire, draining three straight three-pointers that pushed Minnesota’s lead to 30 points at 85-55. It wasn’t just offense — it was defense too. The Wolves held Dallas to 30 percent shooting from deep (9-of-30), a number that barely improved on their league-worst 31.1 percent clip entering the game.

Even Anthony Edwards, the All-Star guard who’s been struggling from deep this stretch, finally found his range — hitting his first three-pointer of the night with a smooth finish over one of the league’s better shot-blockers. And when Rob Dillingham threw down a thunderous dunk, the crowd didn’t just cheer — they roared. This wasn’t just a win. It was catharsis.

Dallas’s Injury Crisis Deepens

For the Mavericks, it was another night of bad luck piled on top of bad basketball. Without Daniel Gafford (ankle), Dereck Lively II (knee), and the ever-present Anthony Davis (who isn’t even on the Mavericks — that’s a mistake in the original report; Davis plays for the Lakers), Dallas was left with a skeleton crew. Rookie Moussa Cissé got his first career start — and looked every bit the part of a 20-year-old trying to fill the shoes of three injured big men. He finished with just 6 points and 4 rebounds in 24 minutes.

Top draft pick Cooper Flagg and guard Brandon Williams each scored 15 points, keeping Dallas somewhat competitive early. But without size, depth, or defensive cohesion, the Mavericks couldn’t slow Minnesota’s rhythm. They entered the game with a 4-11 record and a 1-4 mark on the road — and this loss made it painfully clear how far they are from contending.

Turnovers, Three-Point Struggles, and a Back-to-Back Blowout

The Mavericks were playing their second game in as many nights after a narrow win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. That’s tough enough. But playing without three key bigs? That’s a recipe for disaster. Minnesota, meanwhile, was fresh — and focused. The Wolves led 61-44 at halftime after outscoring Dallas 27-23 in the second quarter, turning a 7-point edge into a 17-point cushion. They didn’t let up. In the third, they outscored Dallas 37-22 — the kind of quarter that doesn’t just win games, it breaks spirits.

Oddly enough, both teams struggled from beyond the arc. Minnesota shot 32 percent (14-of-44), their fourth straight game under 33 percent from deep. Dallas? Just 30 percent (9-of-30). The difference? Minnesota had more bodies to spare. Dallas didn’t. And while the broadcast noted that Minnesota had only five turnovers — "the good news for Dallas is Minnesota coughed it up a lot too" — that’s like saying a drowning man got a little wetter than his rescuer. It doesn’t change the outcome.

What’s Next? Two Teams on Very Different Paths

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the Mavericks host the New York Knicks — a team that’s been surging lately. Dallas will need more than Flagg and Williams to compete. They need Gafford back. They need Lively healthy. They need to stop pretending Davis is on their roster (he’s not — that was an error in the original report). The timeline for their return? Still unclear.

The Timberwolves, now 9-5, welcome the Washington Wizards to the Target Center on the same night. With Reid playing like an All-Star, Edwards finding his groove, and McDaniels locking down on both ends, Minnesota looks like a legitimate playoff threat. The question isn’t whether they’ll make the postseason — it’s how far they can go if they stay healthy.

Behind the Numbers: What This Win Really Means

Let’s put this in perspective. The Timberwolves have now won five of their last six games. Their defense has tightened. Their bench is contributing. And Reid? He’s no longer just a role player — he’s becoming the glue. Meanwhile, Dallas is 1-4 in back-to-backs this season. Their bench scoring ranks 27th in the league. Their rebounding margin is minus-4.2 per game. They’re not just losing — they’re regressing.

And here’s the kicker: The Wolves’ 22-point win was their largest of the season. It’s not just a stat — it’s a signal. When a team with playoff aspirations beats a struggling opponent by 24 points, it’s not luck. It’s momentum. And right now, Minnesota has it.