Timberwolves, playing without Edwards and Gobert, rout Bucks 139-106

Chris Fine, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Jan 13, 2026

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The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t have Rudy Gobert Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, with Gobert serving a one-game suspension for accruing too many flagrant foul points.

They were also without Anthony Edwards, who was resting for what the team was calling right foot injury management, after Edwards previously missed three games in December because of a foot injury.

So naturally, without their best defensive and offensive players, the visiting Wolves went out and thrashed Milwaukee 139-106 at Fiserv Forum. The Wolves continued their impressive play since the calendar turned to 2026, when they are 6-1.

Julius Randle orchestrated the offense with 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Naz Reid had 19 points while Jaden McDaniels had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Bones Hyland had an impressive night with 23 points off the bench.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 25.

What it means

The win should be a jolt in the arm for a lot of Wolves players. Hyland had a season high 23 points and added five assists with no turnovers as he continues to solidify his permanent spot in the rotation at backup point guard.

The scoring punch he can provide is something the Wolves will need as the season goes on, with depth scoring being a regular issue for them. On the FanDuel Sports North telecast, Wolves broadcasters Jim Petersen and Alan Horton said coach Chris Finch had been encouraging Hyland during shootaround to be more aggressive.

The night also showed Finch can turn to rookie Joan Beringer for minutes if needed. He finished with 13 points.

The Wolves have shown they can win without Edwards. They improved to 5-3 when he sits.

How it happened

The first half was among the best basketball the Wolves played all season regardless of what personnel was available. They finished the first half 27 for 41 from the floor, 11 for 19 from 3-point range.

McDaniels began the game 6 for 6, that included a 4-for-4 performance from 3 in the first quarter as the Wolves wasted little time in building a double-digit lead. They kept their foot on the gas through the second quarter even as Finch went to the bench. Hyland had productive minutes with 10 first-half points. Donte DiVincenzo chipped in five assists while Randle was masterful with 24 points.

The Wolves had 20 assists on 27 makes.

There were times Randle posted up or drove to the hoop and Milwaukee had no help defense for him at the rim. That kind of matador defense was all over the place for the Bucks in the first half.

The Wolves defense, which often struggles when Gobert is off the floor, more than held its own. Antetokounmpo was the only Bucks player to score in double figures in the first half. They forced eight Milwaukee turnovers that turned in 14 points.

At halftime, the Wolves were up 31. The only question was whether they would let the Bucks back in it in the same building in which they suffered one of their worst chokes last season. After an initial Milwaukee burst out of the halftime, the Wolves got back on track and emptied their bench early in the fourth.

Beringer’s true debut

The lack of Gobert and Edwards in the lineup meant rookie Beringer played his first rotation minutes of the season.

Beringer, 19, looked like he belonged. He affected possessions on the defensive end of the floor while contributing on offense with 13 points and five rebounds. That included a reverse layup on Antetokounmpo during the second quarter.

Beringer’s defense was a factor at the rim and he added an assist off an offensive rebound when he found Randle for a 3.

He was also on the receiving end of a lob from McDaniels for a 3-point play.

5th starting lineup

The Wolves have deployed just five starting lineups this season with the fifth coming against the Bucks: Randle, Reid, Mike Conley, DiVincenzo and McDaniels.

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