MINNEAPOLIS —The Timberwolves offense can click in and out of rhythm throughout the course of a game or season, but rarely has it come as screeching of a halt as it did in the second quarter of their 119-92 loss to the Magic. It tied their most lopsided loss of the season.

The Wolves scored only two points over the final 7 minutes, 3 seconds of the second quarter, and that drought allowed Orlando to take over a game the Wolves led early.

The loss ended a five-game win streak for the Wolves, who now head on the road for their next four games.

Desmond Bane had 30 points for the Magic despite not hitting a 3. Instead, Bane found success going to the rim and the foul line, where he was 10 for 10.

Anthony Edwards had 34 points for the Wolves, but the rest of the Wolves starters combined for 29 points.

Jalen Suggs had 14 points and four assists for the Magic.

What it means

The Wolves and day games are a bad mix. Even though the Wolves beat Denver last week during an afternoon start, some of their most lopsided losses have come in the afternoon. They have lost games by 19 (to the Clippers), 24 (to the Hawks) and 26 (to the Warriors) in games that started before 5 p.m. Central.

Tough games for McDaniels, DiVincenzo

The two players who benefit the most when the Wolves have good ball movement are Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo. Their afternoons were indicative of the Wolves as a whole. Through three quarters, neither had hit a shot or scored a point. McDaniels finished 0 for 9 for three points while DiVincenzo didn’t score after going 0 for 6.

Ayo Dosunmu joined them in their scoring problems, as he was only 1 for 6 off the bench.

The Wolves shot just 9 for 40 from 3-point range, but their misses weren’t a product of bad luck. They were a result of poor looks generated against the Orlando defense.

The Wolves’ 23% 3-point shooting was their worst performance from long range on the season.

How it happened

Edwards was on fire in the first quarter and hit 5 of 6 in the quarter (17 points) to give the Wolves an early eight-point lead. But offense outside of him was tough to come by; the rest of the team shot just 5 for 18.

The physical Orlando defense made an impact, and the Magic went on an 19-2 extended run that last 6 minutes, 34 seconds during the second quarter, and that stretch proved the difference in the game.

For the quarter, the Wolves shot just 9 for 26. Edwards was 0 for 3 and had to check out of the first half early with three fouls. The Wolves trailed 60-50 at the half.

Orlando stopped turning the ball over in the second quarter after seven in the first (just one in the second) and the Wolves couldn’t get fluid offense, especially after Edwards took a seat. McDaniels, Randle and DiVincenzo were a combined 2 for 18.

The Wolves could never get the deficit under 10 as they were inconsistent containing Orlando’s penetration and cutting.

Anderson sits out

Kyle Anderson sat out the game because of right knee soreness. Finch said Anderson tweaked the injury in the team’s win over Toronto on Thursday, March 5, and said the team considered the injury minor.

Key stat

60 paint points for Orlando, who struggled from the outside as well (27%) but found easy buckets at the rim plus paths to the free-throw line from there.

Up next

The Wolves’ road trip begins with back-to-back games in Los Angeles, the first coming Tuesday night against the Lakers.

©2026 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.