Kings Outlast Timberwolves in Overtime Thriller as Edwards’ 43 Points Fall Short
Nov, 26 2025
The Sacramento Kings pulled off a stunning 117-112 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento — not because they dominated, but because Minnesota completely unraveled when it mattered most.
A Collapse That Defies Logic
With just three minutes left in regulation, the Timberwolves led by 10 points. It was a comfortable cushion. A win seemed guaranteed. Then, everything changed. DeMar DeRozan, the 35-year-old veteran known for his icy composure, calmly drained two free throws to tie the game at 101. Anthony Edwards, who’d been unstoppable all night with 43 points, missed a contested jumper. The Kings’ defense, long criticized for its inconsistency, suddenly locked in. Two more missed shots by Sacramento on the final possession? That’s not a miracle — it’s a team refusing to quit.
It was the second time in four days the Timberwolves blew a late lead. Just three nights earlier, on November 21, they surrendered an eight-point advantage with less than a minute to go against the Phoenix Suns, losing 114-113. Now, another collapse. And this one stings more — because they were up 10. Not eight. Not five. Ten. That’s not a fluke. That’s a mental breakdown.
DeRozan’s Masterclass and Murray’s Breakout
While Edwards carried Minnesota with a career-defining performance — 43 points, 7 rebounds, 5 three-pointers — Sacramento had two players who refused to let their season slip away. DeRozan, playing like a man who still has something to prove, went a perfect 15-for-15 from the free-throw line. No misses. No panic. Just cold, calculated efficiency. He added 4 assists and 3 steals, turning defense into offense when the game hung in the balance.
But the real story might be Keegan Murray. The 23-year-old forward, often overshadowed by DeRozan’s star power, delivered the most complete game of his career: 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 three-pointers. He didn’t just score — he battled under the basket, chased loose balls, and hit clutch shots when the Timberwolves’ defense collapsed. After the game, one analyst on YouTube called it “what could be an inflection point” for the Kings. Maybe. But for Murray, it felt like arrival.
Timberwolves’ Identity Crisis
Anthony Edwards is the future of the franchise. There’s no doubt. But when you have a 23-year-old phenom dropping 43 points and your team still loses — especially after holding a 10-point lead — you have a deeper problem. Julius Randle added 17 points, Donte DiVincenzo chipped in 17, Naz Reid 15. They’re not short on talent. They’re short on poise. On discipline. On closing.
The fourth quarter was a disaster: just 19 points. In overtime, they managed 11. That’s not a lack of shooting. That’s a lack of will. The Kings, meanwhile, outscored them 16-11 in the extra period. It wasn’t flashy. It was gritty. It was veteran leadership meeting young energy. And Minnesota? They looked lost.
The NBA Cup Context: More Than Just a Tournament
This wasn’t just another regular season game. It was part of the Emirates NBA Cup, the third edition of the NBA’s midseason tournament. All 30 teams play four group-stage games that count toward both the Cup standings and their regular season records. The winners of each group — plus one wild card per conference — advance to a single-elimination bracket. The semifinals are set for December 13, 2025, and the final? December 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Kings entered this game at 4-12. Now, they’re 5-13. Still below .500. But this win? It’s a signal. A message to their locker room: we can win when it matters. The Timberwolves? They’re 10-7 — one of the top teams in the West — but their late-game failures are becoming a pattern. Can they fix it before the Cup knockout rounds?
What’s Next?
Both teams face critical matchups on Wednesday, November 26. The Timberwolves travel to face the Oklahoma City Thunder — a team with a rising young core and a hunger to prove themselves. The Kings host the Phoenix Suns — the same team they beat just days ago, and the same team that exposed Minnesota’s weaknesses. If the Timberwolves lose again, the pressure will mount. If the Kings win? They’ll be talking about a playoff push, not just a rebuild.
The Emirates NBA Cup isn’t just a tournament. It’s a stress test. And on Monday night, Sacramento passed. Minnesota? They flunked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Timberwolves’ late-game collapse so concerning?
Minnesota has now blown double-digit leads in back-to-back games — a 10-point edge against Sacramento and an 8-point lead against Phoenix. With Anthony Edwards as their primary closer, these aren’t flukes. They suggest a systemic issue: poor defensive rotations, rushed shots, and a lack of composure under pressure. If this continues, they risk losing home-court advantage in the playoffs despite their strong record.
How significant is DeMar DeRozan’s 15-for-15 free-throw performance?
Perfect free-throw shooting in a high-stakes game — especially with 15 attempts — is rare. DeRozan is one of the best in NBA history at the line, but doing it under pressure in overtime, with the game on the line, cements his legacy as a clutch performer. It also highlights Sacramento’s discipline: they didn’t force risky shots. They trusted their veteran to deliver, and he did.
What does this win mean for the Sacramento Kings’ season?
At 5-13, the Kings are still far from playoff contention. But this win — coming after six straight losses — shows they can compete with elite teams when they play with purpose. Keegan Murray’s breakout and DeRozan’s leadership suggest they’re building something. If they win their next two NBA Cup games, they could qualify for the knockout round — a massive morale boost for a franchise starved for relevance.
How does the Emirates NBA Cup affect playoff seeding?
Group stage games count toward regular season records, so every win or loss impacts playoff positioning. The top two teams in each conference’s group stage advance automatically, with one wild card added. Winning these games isn’t just about Cup glory — it’s about securing better seeding. For Sacramento, every win now matters twice: for the tournament and for their postseason hopes.
When and where is the Emirates NBA Cup final?
The championship game is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The semifinals will be held on December 13, and the quarterfinals on December 9-10. The tournament’s Las Vegas finale is designed to draw national attention — and for teams like Sacramento, it’s a rare chance to shine on a big stage.
Who are the defending champions of the Emirates NBA Cup?
The Milwaukee Bucks won the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, defeating the Miami Heat in the final. Their victory was powered by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominance and a balanced roster. This year, teams like the Timberwolves and Kings are vying to dethrone them — but only if they can finish the job when it counts.