# Edwards scores 45 as Timberwolves rout Heat in opener

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota to a 131–106 win in Miami, spoiling Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Heat debut as LaMelo Ball also made his Timberwolves debut.

By The Signal Edition | Sports / Basketball
Published: 2026-10-21T23:09:20Z
Updated: 2026-10-22T04:21:52Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/timberwolves-heat-kuzdxs-opener-20261021
Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/dc57b57ca419ab68c8e04b874291c5b1.avif (Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, whose new backcourt partner this season is LaMelo Ball.; credit: Frank Franklin II / The Associated Press)

## Summary
- Minnesota defeated Miami 131–106 Wednesday in the teams’ season opener at Kaseya Center.
- Anthony Edwards scored 45 points, shooting 9-for-17 from three-point range, and added 10 rebounds.
- LaMelo Ball had 21 points and six assists in his Minnesota debut; Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points and had six rebounds in his Miami debut.
- Minnesota made 21 three-pointers to Miami’s eight and took control after the Heat briefly led in the second quarter.

## Edwards powers Minnesota past Miami

Anthony Edwards scored 45 points Wednesday as the Minnesota Timberwolves opened the regular season with a 131–106 road victory over the Miami Heat. The game at Kaseya Center also marked the debuts of LaMelo Ball for Minnesota and Giannis Antetokounmpo for Miami. Edwards shot 16-for-29 from the field, including 9-for-17 from three-point range, and collected 10 rebounds. His total was a Minnesota record for a season opener, according to Reuters’ game report. [1](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-45-wolves-spoil-giannis-antetokounmpos-heat-debut--flm-2026-10-22/) [2](https://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/article/anthony-edwards-scores-45-wolves-roll-past-heat-22488381.php)

Ball finished with 21 points and six assists in his first regular-season appearance for the Timberwolves. Antetokounmpo led Miami with 35 points and six rebounds, while Bam Adebayo scored 15. Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels added 17 points and Rudy Gobert pulled down 15 rebounds. The NBA’s official box score lists the final as Minnesota 131, Miami 106, confirming the result and individual totals. [1](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-45-wolves-spoil-giannis-antetokounmpos-heat-debut--flm-2026-10-22/) [3](https://www.nba.com/game/min-vs-mia-0022600004/box-score)

## Wolves seize control after brief Heat lead

Minnesota built an early advantage, opening 11-for-14 from the floor and leading 27–19 after eight minutes. Miami rallied in the second quarter and briefly moved ahead 50–49 on a Bobby Portis Jr. three-pointer. The Timberwolves closed the half strongly: Terrence Shannon Jr. hit two corner threes, Edwards turned a steal into a dunk, and Ball scored on a drive before adding two free throws. Minnesota went to halftime ahead 69–59. [1](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-45-wolves-spoil-giannis-antetokounmpos-heat-debut--flm-2026-10-22/)

The visitors carried that momentum into the third quarter. Edwards and Ball each made a three-pointer in the opening minutes, and Edwards’ next long-range basket extended Minnesota’s lead to 78–61. Miami did not regain the lead. Minnesota finished with 21 made three-pointers, while the Heat made eight, a 13-shot difference that underscored the gap in perimeter production. The Wolves led in every quarter after halftime and closed out the 25-point win. [1](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-45-wolves-spoil-giannis-antetokounmpos-heat-debut--flm-2026-10-22/) [2](https://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/article/anthony-edwards-scores-45-wolves-roll-past-heat-22488381.php)

## Debuts frame the season opener

The opener paired two major offseason arrivals, but the night’s top scorer was Minnesota’s established star. Edwards and Antetokounmpo each had 21 points in the first half, before the Timberwolves’ supporting cast helped create separation. Antetokounmpo shot 13-for-19 from the field. Reuters reported he also received a flagrant foul after contact with Terrence Shannon Jr. and missed a free throw; those moments did not alter Miami’s scoring lead late, as Minnesota remained in control through the fourth quarter. [1](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-45-wolves-spoil-giannis-antetokounmpos-heat-debut--flm-2026-10-22/)

The win gives Minnesota a 1–0 start, while Miami begins 0–1 after its home opener. For the Timberwolves, Edwards’ 45-point performance and Ball’s productive debut offered an emphatic opening result for the new backcourt pairing. For the Heat, Antetokounmpo’s 35 points were not enough to offset Minnesota’s balanced scoring and three-point advantage. The NBA’s game listing and box score record the contest as the 2026–27 regular-season opener on Oct. 21. [1](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-45-wolves-spoil-giannis-antetokounmpos-heat-debut--flm-2026-10-22/) [3](https://www.nba.com/game/min-vs-mia-0022600004/box-score)

## Reporting sources
1. [Reuters: Anthony Edwards (45), Wolves spoil Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Heat debut](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-45-wolves-spoil-giannis-antetokounmpos-heat-debut--flm-2026-10-22/) (2026-10-22)
2. [Associated Press (republished by The Telegraph): Anthony Edwards scores 45, Wolves roll past Heat 131-106 to spoil Giannis’ opener](https://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/article/anthony-edwards-scores-45-wolves-roll-past-heat-22488381.php) (2026-10-21)
3. [NBA.com: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Miami Heat Oct. 21, 2026 Box Score](https://www.nba.com/game/min-vs-mia-0022600004/box-score) (2026-10-21)