CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Julius Randle scored 30 points to lead the Timberwolves past the Charlotte Hornets 122-105 on Saturday night, their first victory without injured All-Star Anthony Edwards.
Edwards left in the first quarter of a victory over Indiana last weekend because of a right hamstring strain. Since then, the Wolves had lost home games to Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid added 18 points each, Rudy Gobert had 14 points and 15 rebounds and Jaden McDaniels added 14 points for the Wolves, who have been relatively consistent on offense this season, with or without Edwards. They have scored at least 110 points in all six of their games, the longest such streak of scoring 110 games to start a season in franchise history.
The Wolves have struggled on defense this season, but on Saturday they held the Hornets to 39.5% shooting, including 35.7% in the second half (15-for-42).
Miles Bridges scored 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting, but the rest of the team shot 24-for-70 (34.3%). LaMelo Ball had 18 points and Tre Mann had 16 for Charlotte, which has lost its past three games.
Charlotte ended the first half on a 10-2 run over the final 2:08 to take a 56-50 lead into the break. But the Wolves chipped away in the third quarter, taking the lead for good on a Randle three-pointer following a Rob Dillingham steal with 5:20 to play in the period. Gobert grabbed 11 rebounds in the third quarter, the 10th double-digit rebound quarter of his career.
