Timberwolves’ reserves finish 116–97 preseason win over Bucks

The Minnesota Timberwolves finished with a 35-point fourth quarter and beat the Milwaukee Bucks 116–97 in Monday's preseason opener at Fiserv Forum. Minnesota led for most of the game, weathered a Milwaukee response after halftime and pulled away while its deeper roster received extended minutes.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 14 points in 18 minutes. He shot four of 13 from the field and one of seven from three, but made all five free throws and added four rebounds and two blocks. LaMelo Ball scored 11 points in 17 minutes, with four rebounds and three assists.

Jaden McDaniels made four of five shots for nine points in 15 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga scored eight in 14 minutes, and Rudy Gobert supplied six points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes. Those short appearances gave the opening group work without turning an exhibition into a full regular-season workload.

Minnesota led 31–20 after the first quarter and 60–48 at halftime. Brew Hoop's recap describes Milwaukee drawing closer in the third as its newer players received opportunities. The Timberwolves then scored 35 points in the final period to restore clear separation.

Joan Beringer was productive behind the opening frontcourt. He had 12 points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes, shooting five of eight. Antonio Reeves scored 12 points in 12 minutes without missing a shot: five of five overall, including two three-pointers. Zyon Pullin added 10 points on four-of-five shooting in 16 minutes.

That scoring gave Minnesota room to win without a strong team three-point percentage. The Timberwolves made nine of 35 attempts from beyond the arc but finished with 56 points in the paint. Milwaukee had 26 paint points. Minnesota also held a 26–9 advantage in fast-break points.

Ryan Rollins led the Bucks with 15 points in 14 minutes, making six of 12 field-goal attempts. He finished with six fouls. Brew Hoop reported that Rollins briefly went to the locker room after taking an elbow near the eye early in the game, then returned to make a scoring contribution. The available report does not establish a continuing injury diagnosis.

Kel'el Ware had 14 points and 12 rebounds in 24 minutes. He made two three-pointers and collected three offensive rebounds. Tyler Herro and Gary Trent Jr. each scored 11; Herro had three assists in 19 minutes, and Trent made three of eight three-point attempts.

Milwaukee's overall shooting was the larger constraint. The Bucks made 30 of 91 shots, with Kyle Kuzma missing all six of his field-goal attempts and Myles Turner making one of five. Brayden Burries contributed seven points and five assists in 16 minutes, while Nate Ament scored eight in 14 minutes.

Minnesota also won the rebounding comparison, 51–47, and made 27 of 34 free throws. Reeves scored on a running jumper with 1:21 remaining, and Drew Timme's three-pointer with 44 seconds left set Minnesota's final total at 116. Milwaukee's final field goal was Ware's driving finish with 1:03 remaining.