The Minnesota Timberwolves opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a dominant 131-106 victory over the Miami Heat, powered by an outstanding performance from Anthony Edwards.
Edwards exploded for 45 points and 10 rebounds in just 33 minutes, connecting on nine three-pointers. His 45 points set a new Timberwolves franchise record for a season opener, and he rested for the final four minutes with the game already out of reach.
Minnesota's new backcourt partnership between Edwards and LaMelo Ball also made an immediate impact. The duo combined for 14 three-pointers and showed impressive chemistry, creating scoring opportunities for each other. The Timberwolves outscored Miami by 43 points during their shared minutes.
For the Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points in his Miami debut, showcasing his individual dominance. However, fellow star Bam Adebayo finished with 15 points as the new frontcourt pairing continued to develop its offensive chemistry.
Miami struggled significantly from beyond the arc, shooting just 24% from three-point range, compared with Minnesota's 42%. Veteran shooters Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. combined to make only four of their 13 three-point attempts, allowing Minnesota to focus its defense on Antetokounmpo.
The impressive opening-night performance highlighted Minnesota's potential as a championship contender, while Miami faces the challenge of improving its spacing and offensive balance around its new superstar.