Minnesota built a 38-29 cushion in the first quarter at Target Center, then watched Detroit erase it by halftime. The Timberwolves finished the night 106-128, and not one player closed with a positive plus-minus.
A Lead That Vanished
Minnesota arrived at Target Center 2-0 in the preseason, having beaten Miami and New York to open the slate. The Timberwolves opened fast anyway, outscoring Detroit 38-29 in the first quarter behind an early push that built a 10-point lead, the largest either team would hold. Detroit answered with a 36-20 second quarter that flipped the game, and the Pistons never trailed again. Minnesota was outscored in every remaining period, 32-24 in the third and 31-24 in the fourth, on the way to a 128-106 final. The seven lead changes and six ties all came in that opening stretch; after the second quarter, the game was Detroit's to control.
No Positive Plus-Minus
Minnesota's best plus-minus marks of the night barely cleared water: Jaylen Clark and Cody Williams each finished -4 in eight minutes, and Rudy Gobert matched them at -4 in 22. The worst belonged to Trey Lyles, -19 in 15 minutes, with Ayo Dosunmu at -18 in 24 and Edwards at -15 in 28. Minnesota's bench scored 41 points to the starters' 59, keeping the box score respectable even as the deficit grew.
Grading the Floor
Jonathan Kuminga was the most efficient Timberwolf, scoring 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 2-of-3 from three in 22 minutes, a night that still ended at -4. Jaden McDaniels added 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, but needed seven free throws to get there on 2-of-6 shooting. Edwards scored 20 and got to the line nine times, but his 5-of-15 clip and four turnovers made for a mixed night in a game that got away early. Minnesota closed the final five minutes with Dosunmu, LaMelo Ball, Gobert, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Lyles against Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Javonte Green, Kevin Huerter and Paul Reed, with the outcome long decided. Preseason play continues at Chicago in two days, then at Miami on October 21 to open the regular season.
What turned the game against Detroit?
Detroit's 36-20 second quarter erased an early 10-point Timberwolves lead, and Minnesota never got back in front in the 128-106 loss.
Who graded out best for the Timberwolves against Detroit?
Jonathan Kuminga was the most efficient Timberwolf, scoring 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting while posting the team's best plus-minus at -4.
