Through three quarters and change, the Dallas Mavericks showed they could compete. For the first six minutes – and ultimately the first 12 – they showed why they keep losing.
The Mavericks erased a 15-point halftime deficit, tied it midway through the fourth quarter, then looked Anthony Edwards taking over late in a 122-111 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center Friday night. The loss extended Dallas’ losing streak to 10 games – the longest since the 1997-98 season – and dropped the club to 19-36 overall and 5-20 on the road.
Minnesota improved to 35-22, earned its fifth straight win against Dallas dating back to December 2024 and secured a fourth straight series victory against the Mavericks – the longest active winning streak against a single opponent in Timberwolves franchise history.
Minnesota Timberwolves’ first quarter surge reveals Dallas Mavericks’ worst league trend
The decisive moment came immediately. Minnesota opened the game with tight pace and spacing. Donte DiVincenzo buried a 24-foot three on the first possession. In the first minutes, Rudy Gobert generated second chance opportunities with multiple offensive rebounds. Edwards and Naz Reid followed by perimeters as the Timberwolves attacked early in the shot clock.
By the end of the first quarter, Minnesota had scored 40 points on 14-of-23 shooting, including 8-of-13 three-pointers. The eight made three tied with the Timberwolves’ season record for a single quarter. It was also Minnesota’s 15th 40-point quarter of the season, tied with the New York Knicks for second in the NBA.
Dallas trailed 40-25 before its rotation combinations stabilized.
This model aligns precisely with the Mavericks’ broader struggles. During their 10-game losing streak, Dallas ranks 30th in the NBA with a first-quarter net rating at minus-28.2. Their first quarter defensive rating during that span sits at 129.3, much worse than the league average, which hovers around 113.
Opponents dictate the quality and tempo of shots before Dallas can establish the rhythm.
“We were slow in the first half,” said the head coach. Jason Kidd said. “Make or miss, get the ball out, throw the ball in front, confidence – things we did here before the break.”
Dallas went into halftime trailing 69-57 with just seven assists.
“We had seven assists at halftime. That’s just not who we are,” Kidd said.
Minnesota entered the night ranked fifth in first-quarter net rating over its previous 10 games at plus-12.9. Friday reflected that disparity.
Rudy Gobert’s 10 offensive rebounds strengthen the Minnesota Timberwolves’ physical advantage
The Timberwolves’ early perimeter accuracy was supported by interior dominance.
Gobert finished with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, a game-high 17 rebounds and three blocks. Ten of his 17 rebounds came on the offensive glass – a season high and one of only eight offensive rebounds over 10 in the NBA this season.
The performance marked Gobert’s first game of the year with 20 points and 15 rebounds and the 50th of his career. He also became one of eight players this season to record at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in a game.
Minnesota finished with 54 total rebounds, its 14th 50-plus rebound outing this season, and improved to 11-4 in reaching that mark. The offensive rebound margin in the first quarter fueled sprawling possessions that prevented Dallas from generating transition opportunities.
Reid completed that effort from the bench, scoring 21 points in 30:28 on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three, along with seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. It was his third game of the season with 20 points, five rebounds and two blocks, tying him with Victor Wembanyama for the most such games off the bench in the league this year.
Dallas Mavericks injuries continue to squeeze early game flexibility
The Mavericks’ margin for error remains narrow due to key absences.
Max Christie was ruled out before the announcement due to a sprained left ankle, taking out a 42.6 percent three-point shooter who averaged 13.3 points per game. Rookie forward Cooper Flagg missed his second straight contest with a sprained left midfoot. Flagg leads Dallas with 999 total points and is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 34.1 minutes per game.
Before the game, Kidd addressed the lingering absences.
“On to the next man up. That’s the best answer,” Kidd said. “There are a lot of injuries. We’ve seen this before. Cooper has been out (before) unfortunately and will be out. There’s another opportunity for someone in this Mavs uniform to step up until Cooper comes back.”
Kyrie Irving remains sidelined after ACL reconstruction surgery and confirmed during All-Star weekend that he will not return this season.
“This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one,” Irving said. “I am grateful to the Mavericks organization, my teammates and our fans for their continued support throughout the process. I look forward to coming back stronger next season. The confidence and drive I have in myself only grows.
“And I wanted to send a big thank you to ALL my brothers and sisters who have torn their ACL or injured themselves doing what they love to do every day. THANK YOU for the inspiration. No fear!”
Derek Lively II also remains absent following surgery on his right foot.
Without Flagg’s downhill scoring or Christie’s perimeter spacing, Dallas struggled to generate early offensive pressure before opponents settled into their half-court sets.
“It’s on the fly,” Kidd said. “We’re getting to know Bagley, Middleton and Ty. We don’t have a lot of practice time here, so it’s real time.”
Dallas Mavericks’ second-half surge shows competitive ceiling
Once Dallas adjusted defensively and started picking up the pace, the game tightened up considerably.
Khris Middleton opened the third quarter with a turnover. Naji Marshall attacked the painting. PJ Washington converted from the corner. Tyus Jones increased pace in the transition. At 7:39 of the third quarter, Washington’s three-pointer cut the deficit to 77-75.
The composition of Jones, Klay ThompsonMiddleton, Washington and Daniel Gafford finally erased the gap. Thompson hit a 22-foot three with 7:42 left in the fourth quarter, and Jones tied the game at 103-103 with a floater at 6:55.
“It’s just the character in this locker room. Guys fight. It’s the next man up mentality,” Kidd said. “We were down. We didn’t play our best basketball. We all agreed at halftime that it wasn’t our best. I thought the guys did their best in the second half and had a game.”
Marvin Bagley IIIwho finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, highlighted the team’s change in energy.
“We stuck with it,” Bagley said. “We started moving like we talked about it and we stuck to what we thought was working. We kept the energy and the effort, but it just didn’t work for us.”
During the 10-game losing streak, Dallas ranks 16th with a second-half net rating at minus-1.5 — a stark contrast to its worst first-quarter stats in the league.
Anthony Edwards’ 40-point night closes the door
Starting with the 103-103 tie, Minnesota leaned on its franchise cornerstone.
Edwards scored 14 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter. He finished 16 of 30 from the field, including five three-pointers, and added six rebounds. The performance marked his eighth 40-point game of the season and 27th of his career – tied with Luka Doncic for the most games with 40 points in the NBA this year.
Each of Edwards’ eight 40-point performances this season came on at least 50 percent shooting, a franchise single-season record for the Timberwolves.
“Yeah, and he was good,” Kidd said. “As we talked about before the game, he’s one of the best players in the world. He just became MVP of the All-Star Game. Shooting threes, getting to the rim, getting to the free throw line – he did it tonight. It makes sense.”
Minnesota outscored Dallas 29-23 in the fourth quarter and maintained control down the stretch.
Competitive but always playing from behind
Seven Dallas players scored in double figures, led by Middleton’s 18 points. Jones orchestrated much of the comeback, while Washington and Marshall provided the defensive energy. However, Minnesota’s early shooting and rebounding advantage forced the Mavericks into late-game possessions that increasingly favored elite defenders.
Competitiveness in the second half highlights Dallas’ ceiling. The first quarter collapse continues to define its bottom.
Until the first six to 12 minutes stabilize, the Mavericks’ resilience may remain admirable – but insufficient to turn the tide.
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