Edwards 41, Wolves Beat Blazers Amid Billups Arrest

The Minnesota Timberwolves opened the 2025–26 season with a 118-114 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center, where Portland played under interim coach Tiago Splitter after head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested and remained sidelined. Anthony Edwards, cleared to play after late treatment for back spasms, scored a franchise season-opener record 41 points, hitting a go-ahead three and a late step-back jumper. Minnesota rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring Portland 30-19, and Rudy Gobert’s putback dunk with 32 seconds left provided the decisive points. Portland got 29 points off the bench from Jerami Grant and led much of the night, but Minnesota’s superior 3-point shooting (15-of-30, 50%) versus Portland’s 13-of-42 (31%) fueled the comeback. Edwards’ performance underscored his central offensive role; he later scored 31 points in a subsequent loss to the Lakers.