Edwards led seven Minnesota players in scoring in double figures, pushing the Timberwolves to a commanding victory after a pair of disappointing losses to New Orleans and the Los Angeles Clippers. Julius Randle has 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for Minnesota, which had lost three of four.
Advertisement
A lackluster game changed early in the fourth when Atlanta’s Mouhamed Gueye appeared to trip Wolves center Naz Reid. The two got together in an altercation that included a crowd of people trying to separate the two players. Both players were sent off.
Newcomer Ayo Dosunmu, playing his second game after being acquired in a trade from Chicago, scored 21 points off the bench as Minnesota led by as many as 31.
CJ McCollum scored 38 points for the Hawks, who lost four of five and played without Jalen Johnson (left knee inflammation), Antonio Daniels (right ankle inflammation) and newly acquired Jonathan Kumiga (left knee bone bruise).
Johnson was just named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season. Kuminga has not played since being traded from Golden State for Kristaps Porzingis.
Advertisement
McCollum scored 18 of his points in the first quarter, but Minnesota used a 40-18 run from the end of the first to midway through the second to take a 79-52 lead. Atlanta didn’t get closer than 16 the rest of the way.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks against his former team.
Next
Hawks: Play at Charlotte on Wednesday.
Timberwolves: Host Portland on Wednesday.
___
More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA