Timberwolves 115-100 Jazz: Dosunmu and Ball Lead 4th Straight Win Without Edwards

No Anthony Edwards. No problem. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Utah Jazz 115-100 at Target Center on Sunday, November 8, 2026, thanks to Ayo Dosunmu and LaMelo Ball combining for 50 points - to make it four wins in a row and move to 8-3, now 5-2 without their star guard.

Dosunmu scored 26 points on 7-for-13 shooting, Ball added 24 points and 5 assists, Rudy Gobert chipped in 10 points and 15 rebounds, and Minnesota pulled away in the third quarter to send Utah to their 8th straight loss and 1-9 start - worst in the Western Conference.

According to AP's match report, "Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points and LaMelo Ball added 24 points and five assists to help the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Utah Jazz 115-100 on Sunday night." [Source: AP]

Watch Timberwolves 115-100 Jazz - Highlights

Watch the NBA highlights from Timberwolves 115-100 Jazz - Dosunmu 26 PTS, Ball 24 PTS.

Timberwolves 115-100 Jazz - Game Summary

Minnesota came into this game without Anthony Edwards - the All-Star guard is expected to miss two months after undergoing knee surgery on October 29. Many predicted the Timberwolves would collapse without him. Instead, they are 5-2 without him.

Utah came in 1-8, on a 7-game losing streak, without Lauri Markkanen, and bottom of the Western Conference. Rookie Darryn Peterson was their only bright spot.

As reported by Reuters, "Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points on 7-for-13 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 115-100 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night in Minneapolis." [Source: Reuters]

But it was not easy early. Utah stayed within striking distance for a half. Then Minnesota took control after halftime - 33-27 in the third, 25-22 in the fourth.

Inside 57 minutes, it was 57-51 at half-time. Inside 90 minutes, it was 90-78. Inside the final buzzer, it was 115-100.

Timberwolves 115-100 Jazz	NBA 2026/27 - Regular Season
Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis	Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Top Scorers: Dosunmu 26, Ball 24 / Peterson 26	Player of the Game: Ayo Dosunmu - 26 PTS, 4/5 3PT, 8/8 FT
Result: Wolves 8-3, 4 straight wins, 5-2 without Edwards	Jazz: 1-9, 8 straight losses, worst in West

Game Timeline - How Dosunmu and Ball Took Over

Q1 - Wolves Lead 28-25

Minnesota start fast at home to kick off their season-long 8-game homestand. Dosunmu and Ball set the tone early. Utah stay close behind Peterson.

Q2 - Wolves Lead 57-51 At Half-Time

Utah refuse to go away. Keyonte George scores 19 points in three quarters. But Minnesota lead by 6 at the break. As per Reuters: "The Timberwolves led 57-51 at the half."

Q3 - The Turning Point - Wolves Win Quarter 33-27

This is where Minnesota win the game. As per AP: "Ball brought the crowd to its feet when he made a steal at midcourt and cruised to an uncontested dunk, giving Minnesota a 70-63 lead midway through the third quarter."

Then Bones Hyland checks in and scores seven quick points. As per AP: "Hyland then checked in and scored seven quick points as the Timberwolves ended the third quarter with their biggest lead at 90-72." Minnesota close the third on a 12-4 run to go ahead 90-78.

Q4 - Utah Go Scoreless For 4 Minutes - Wolves Win 115-100

Utah collapse. As per AP: "Utah began the fourth quarter 0 for 9 from the floor and was held scoreless for almost four minutes as Minnesota built its lead to as much as 19 points."

Minnesota push the lead to 19. Game over. Final score: 115-100.

Tactical Analysis - Why Minnesota Won Without Edwards

1. Dosunmu + Ball = 50 Points - Elite Backcourt

Dosunmu: 26 points, 7-for-13, 4-for-5 from three, 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Ball: 24 points, 10-for-20, 4-for-10 from three, 5 assists, 2 steals. Combined: 50 points. As reported by SI: "Dosunmu and Ball looked like an elite backcourt, combining for 50 points." Ball has now scored 20+ in four straight games - averaging 25 points, 5.5 assists in November.

2. Gobert Dominated The Glass

Gobert: 10 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting, 15 rebounds, 2 assists. Playing against his former team, Gobert was a monster. Minnesota dominated the rebounding battle 58-42. Utah had no answer inside.

3. Bench Spark - Hyland Again

Bones Hyland: 14 points off the bench in just 13 minutes - his fifth 10+ point game off the bench this season. Trey Lyles: 9 points, 6 rebounds. Combined bench: Lyles + Hyland = 23 points. Depth is why Minnesota are surviving without Edwards.

4. Free Throws - From Worst To Best

Minnesota entered the game with the worst free-throw percentage in the NBA at 64.8%. Against Utah, they made 27 of 32 from the line - 84.4%. Dosunmu went 8-for-8. If they shoot free throws like this, they are contenders.

5. Utah - One Bright Spot, Eight Losses

Darryn Peterson: 26 points on 11-for-21, 6 rebounds. Keyonte George: 19 points before missing the fourth with a sprained right ankle. But Utah shot 42.5% from the field, 29.2% from three, and started the fourth 0-for-9. They have now lost 8 in a row after splitting their first two games. They are 1-9 - worst in the West.

Player Ratings - Timberwolves vs Jazz

Player	Stats	Verdict
Ayo Dosunmu	26 PTS, 4/5 3PT, 8/8 FT	Player of the Game, hyper-efficient, Grade A
LaMelo Ball	24 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STL	4th straight 20+ game, keeping Wolves afloat
Rudy Gobert	10 PTS, 15 REB, 4/4 FG	Dominated glass vs former team, double-double
Jaden McDaniels	16 PTS, 6 REB	Solid two-way, usual self
Bones Hyland	14 PTS in 13 MIN	Bench spark, 7 quick points in Q3
Darryn Peterson	26 PTS, 6 REB	Only bright spot for Jazz, rookie star

NBA Standings - After Timberwolves 115-100 Jazz

This win keeps Minnesota near the top of the West.

That means:

• Timberwolves: 8-3, 4 straight wins, 5-2 without Edwards, starting 8-game homestand
• Jazz: 1-9, 8 straight losses, bottom of Western Conference

Minnesota won't play a game outside Target Center until the day before Thanksgiving. That homestand could push them to the top of the West - even without Edwards.

What This Win Means

1. For Minnesota - Contenders Without Edwards: Many predicted the Wolves would collapse when Edwards had knee surgery on Oct 29. Instead, they are 5-2 without him. Ball is averaging 25 points in November. Dosunmu is elite. Gobert is dominating. When Edwards returns in late December / January, Minnesota could be a true contender.

Before this win, Minnesota had beaten the Knicks and others on the road - but this win over Utah was different: home, comfortable, professional. As shown in PSG 1-0 Troyes: Zabarnyi Header Seals 11th Straight Win, the best teams in Europe are all winning without their stars right now - Minnesota are doing the same in the NBA.

2. For Ball: Brought in via trade from Charlotte in the offseason to be Edwards' co-star - now he IS the star. 4 straight 20+ games, 3 of them at 50% or better. Ball is proving his worth.

3. For Dosunmu: 26 points, 4-for-5 from three, 8-for-8 from the line. The only blemish: 5 turnovers. Otherwise, perfect.

4. For Utah: 1-9. 8 straight losses. Bottom of the West. Without Markkanen, without direction. Peterson is a bright spot - but they need more.

What's Next?

Minnesota host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, November 12, in game 2 of their 8-game homestand. Utah host the Miami Heat on Tuesday, November 10.

Before this win, Minnesota had won 3 in a row - but this 4th straight win keeps the momentum going. As shown in Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Elversberg: Nmecha Brace Keeps BVB Unbeaten, the best teams right now are winning even when they are not at full strength - Minnesota are the NBA version.

One thing is clear: when Edwards returns, this Timberwolves team is going to be scary.

Read Also - More Sports Analysis

FAQ - Timberwolves vs Jazz

What was the score of Timberwolves vs Jazz?
Timberwolves won 115-100 at Target Center.

Who scored for Timberwolves?
Ayo Dosunmu 26 points, LaMelo Ball 24 points, Jaden McDaniels 16 points, Bones Hyland 14 off bench.

Who scored for Jazz?
Darryn Peterson 26 points, Keyonte George 19 points before ankle injury.

Where is Anthony Edwards?
Edwards is out after knee surgery on Oct 29 - expected to miss 2 months, return late Dec / Jan.

How many wins in a row for Timberwolves?
4 straight wins. 8-3 overall. 5-2 without Edwards.

Where are Jazz?
Jazz are 1-9, 8 straight losses, bottom of Western Conference.

When is Timberwolves' next game?
Timberwolves host Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. Jazz host Miami Heat on Tuesday.

Sources & References

What do you think? Can Timberwolves stay top without Edwards? Is Ball the best point guard in the West right now? Let us know in the comments below!