Short-handed Timberwolves top Kings, 117-103

Chris Hine, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Dec 14, 2025

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MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves came into Sunday night at Target Center shorthanded with Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley both out because of injuries. Then just as they were getting rolling in the second half against the Sacramento Kings, Rudy Gobert left the game for personal reasons.

With this split squad, the Wolves didn’t play their prettiest game of the season, but they played well enough to get a 117-103 victory over the Kings. They close with 3-1 on the season against Sacramento and have won seven of their past eight games.

Bones Hyland returned from his own injury in Friday’s victory at Golden State to score 18 points, nine in the fourth quarter as the Wolves tried to keep the Kings at a distance.

Julius Randle led the Wolves with 24 points and nine rebounds while Naz Reid added 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

The Wolves benefited from a 0 for 5 fourth quarter from Russell Westbrook. DeMar DeRozan had 17 for the Kings.

Gobert left the game in the second half because of personal reasons, the team announced. Gobert departed in the third quarter after compiling seven points and 12 rebounds. He went 1 for 6 from the free-throw line.

When Gobert exited, the Wolves were ahead 66-54 with 7:48 left in the third quarter. Sacramento cut the deficit to 77-75 before the Wolves steadied the ship for a 88-84 lead entering the fourth.

Choppy start

Friday’s victory over Golden State featured some of the Wolves’ best offensive ball movement of the season, but that dried up early on as the Wolves struggled to a 27-20 deficit in the opening quarter. They shot just 38% (9 for 24) and 1 for 7 from 3-point range. Their defense allowed Sacramento to start 55%.

The second quarter continued much of the same, with both teams playing sloppy on both ends of the floor. They combined for 17 turnovers while the Wolves couldn’t crack the 40% shooting mark. After starting the second with a 12-0 run, the Wolves trailed 52-51 at the half.

Hyland back as starter

With Conley out for his second consecutive game because of right Achilles tendinopathy, Hyland returned from a knee contusion that knocked him out in the first quarter in San Francisco. Hyland was back as the starting point guard as he was on Friday, when he was making the first start of his Wolves career.

Rob Dillingham played nine minutes in the first half and had five points, two assists and two steals in his first shift.

Edwards sits again

Edwards missed his second consecutive game because of right foot soreness. It was the sixth game he has missed this season, and the Wolves improved to 4-2 without him. The injury is not considered a long-term issue, with coach Chris Finch reiterating before the game that Edwards was day to day.

“Just hasn’t calmed down to the point where he’s able to go,” Finch said.

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