BBNBA: T-Wolves extend first place lead in West behind KAT's 23-point outing

Screenshot 2023-11-10 at 1.25.30 PMby:Phoenix Stevens02/16/24

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As the NBA prepares for its annual All-Star break, only a handful of teams were in action on Thursday night.

Two of those teams were the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trail Blazers. As you’d probably expect, the T-Wolves beat the 15-39 Blazers in convincing fashion in a 128-91 win. One of the biggest factors in Minnesota’s win was former Wildcat, Karl-Anthony Towns (shocker, I know).

KAT would score 23 points on 8-13 (1-2 3PT) shooting while also recording eight rebounds and two blocks on the night as well. The former Consensus All-American was practically unstoppable on Thursday night, as he has been all season.

The 128-91 dub marked the fifth consecutive game that the Timberwolves had scored 120+ points in a game. Clearly, everything is clicking right now for Chris Finch’s squad. Additionally, this win puts Minnesota at 39-16 overall. They now hold a 1.5-game lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder for first place in the West.

Meanwhile, for the Trail Blazers, point guard Ashton Hagans added two points and one rebound in five minutes of play. It was just his fourth appearance of the season after he signed a 10-day contract with the franchise on Feb. 8.

2/15/24 Statistics:

PlayerScorePTSFG (3PT)REBASTSTLBLKTO+/-MIN
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)128-91 W @ POR238-13 (1-2)811232229
Ashton Hagans (POR)128-91 L vs MIN21-1 (0-0)00000-65
Shaedon Sharpe (POR)128-91 L v MINDNP – Core
Johnny Juzang (UTA)140-137 L vs GSWDNP – G-League
TyTy Washington Jr. (MIL)129-105 L vs MINDNP: Coach’s Decision
Chris Livingston (MIL)129-105 L vs MINDNP: Coach’s Decision

Tonight in the NBA:

No NBA action tonight due to the All-Star break. The 2024 NBA All-Star weekend schedule can be found here and goes as follows:

  • Friday, Feb. 16 7:00 EST (ESPN) | Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
  • Friday, Feb. 16 9:00 EST (TNT) | Panini Rising Stars
  • Saturday, Feb. 17 2:00 EST (TNT) | HBCU Classic presented by AT&T
  • Saturday, Feb. 17 8:00 EST (TNT) | State Farm All-Star Saturday Night
  • Sunday, Feb. 18 1:30 EST | G League Up Next Game presented by AT&T
  • Sunday, Feb. 18 8:00 EST (TNT) | 73rd NBA All-Star Game

NBA action will resume on Thursday, February 22nd.

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2024-05-03