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

The Timberwolves didn’t have Rudy Gobert on Tuesday, Jan. 13, against the 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, with a 6-1 record.

Julius Randle orchestrated the offense with 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

“Julius was spectacular,” coach Chris Finch told reporters in Milwaukee. “His decisionmaking was high-level. Thought he played a simple, clean game too. Took on the physicality, but didn’t overcommit. Didn’t get himself in trouble.”

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.

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. Finch said they “got on” Hyland during shootaround to be more aggressive.

“He has brought us a lot of energy and a lot of activity,” Finch said. “Now he had to bring us a little bit more production, a little bit more purpose. I thought he was too deferential at times.”

Finch said he felt like Hyland was “caught in this middle ground” of trying to run the offense for others while sacrificing usage for himself. But the offense wasn’t humming the way it could.

“He’s been a shot in the arm,” Finch said. “But we needed another level, and he really responded.”

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

The first half was among the best basketball the Wolves played all season, regardless of what personnel was available. They finished the first half 31-for-46 from the floor, 13-for-21 from three-point range.

McDaniels began the game 6-for-6, including a 4-for-4 performance from three 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.

“Quickness of decisionmaking was super sharp all over the place,” Finch said. “Game plan was executed at a high level. Julius was awesome setting the tone on Giannis. Found an early groove on offense and never really let up.”

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.

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.

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 three.

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