Edwards Scores 45 as Timberwolves Spoil Giannis’ Heat Debut

Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – Anthony Edwards poured in 45 points Wednesday night as the Timberwolves spoiled Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Miami Heat debut with a 131-106 season-opening win.

Edwards shot 16-of-29 from the field, including nine three-pointers, and grabbed 10 rebounds. His 45 points are the most ever by a Timberwolves player on opening night, topping the 41 he scored at Portland to start last season. According to the team, he’s just the second player in NBA history to score 40 or more in back-to-back season openers, joining Wilt Chamberlain.

LaMelo Ball scored 21 points with five three-pointers and six assists in his Timberwolves debut. Jaden McDaniels added 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, and Rudy Gobert pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds.

Antetokounmpo, traded to Miami from Milwaukee this past summer, scored 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting, the most by any player in a Heat regular-season debut, passing LeBron James. He and Edwards each had 21 points at halftime, but the game got away from Miami in the third quarter. The Heat made just eight of 33 three-point attempts.

Minnesota set franchise opening-night records for points, three-pointers made (21) and margin of victory, and outrebounded Miami 52-34.

The Timberwolves (1-0) visit the Orlando Magic Friday at 6:00 p.m., then open their home schedule Sunday night against the Toronto Raptors.