BOSTON (AP) – The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Boston Celtics 102-92, marking their first victory in Boston since 2005. Bones Hyland led the Timberwolves with 23 points, while Jaden McDaniels contributed 19 points to help end an 18-game losing streak at this venue.
Ayo Dosunmu added 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Rudy Gobert recorded nine points and 14 rebounds. The Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown’s 29 points, saw their four-game winning streak come to an end, leaving them just half a game ahead of the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings.
Game Highlights
The Timberwolves were without All-Star guard Anthony Edwards, who missed his fourth consecutive game due to right knee inflammation. However, forward Naz Reid returned from a two-game absence caused by a sprained right ankle, scoring eight of his 11 points during a critical 16-0 run in the fourth quarter.
Hyland’s three-pointer from the right wing put Minnesota ahead 83-81 with 9:05 left, securing their lead. Reid contributed significantly during this stretch, scoring eight consecutive points, including a three-point play.
Celtics’ Performance
Jaylen Brown’s 29 points led the Celtics, while Jayson Tatum, who struggled early in the game, finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Celtics had opened the second half strong, scoring the first 11 points after trailing 47-44 at halftime.
Despite a promising start, Boston’s performance declined, particularly from three-point range, where they missed eight of their first nine attempts. The Timberwolves also struggled initially, making only one of their first seven attempts from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
The Timberwolves will host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, while the Celtics are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second game of their three-game homestand.