Cleveland Cavaliers vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats

The cleveland cavaliers vs timberwolves match player stats from January 9, 2026, tell the story of a high-scoring game in which Minnesota defeated Cleveland 131-122 at Target Center in Minneapolis. The Cavaliers shot an efficient 53% from the field and received 30 points from Donovan Mitchell, but the Timberwolves produced an even stronger offensive performance, shooting 57% overall and 53% from three-point range. Julius Randle led Minnesota with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Anthony Edwards added 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists.

For readers searching for the cleveland cavaliers vs timberwolves match player stats, the most useful information goes beyond the final score. The individual numbers explain how Minnesota created its advantage, why Cleveland remained competitive, and which performances had the biggest influence on the game.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats

Minnesota entered the game with a 25-13 record and a 14-6 home record, while Cleveland came in at 21-18 overall and 8-9 on the road. The final margin was nine points, but the game contained several different phases. Cleveland won the second quarter 36-31, while Minnesota dominated the third quarter 43-22. That third-quarter difference ultimately created the separation the Cavaliers could not completely erase.

Category	Cleveland Cavaliers	Minnesota Timberwolves
Final Score	122	131
Field Goals	48-91	51-89
Field Goal %	53%	57%
Three-Pointers	11-33	20-38
Three-Point %	33%	53%
Free Throws	15-21	9-17
Free Throw %	71%	53%
Rebounds	38	45
Assists	31	33
Turnovers	12	17
Steals	9	8
Blocks	2	2
Offensive Rebounds	9	10
Defensive Rebounds	29	35
Personal Fouls	17	21

The biggest statistical difference was shooting from three. Minnesota made 20 of 38 attempts, while Cleveland made 11 of 33. That is a nine-made-three advantage for the Timberwolves, which translated into 27 additional points from beyond the arc. ESPN’s team statistics also show Minnesota with a 20-point largest lead compared with nine for Cleveland.

Final Score and Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

The game was competitive through the opening two quarters.

First Quarter: Timberwolves 32, Cavaliers 31

Minnesota held a narrow 32-31 advantage after the first quarter. The one-point difference indicated that neither team immediately controlled the contest.

Both offenses were productive, and the game quickly developed into a high-scoring matchup. Cleveland was able to score efficiently inside while Minnesota began establishing its perimeter shooting.

Second Quarter: Cavaliers 36, Timberwolves 31

Cleveland responded in the second quarter, scoring 36 points compared with Minnesota’s 31.

That five-point advantage allowed the Cavaliers to take a 67-63 lead into halftime. The comeback within the quarter was important because Minnesota had started the game ahead.

Cleveland’s 66 points in the first half also demonstrated how effective its offense could be when the ball moved through its primary creators.

Third Quarter: Timberwolves 43, Cavaliers 22

The third quarter was the turning point.

Minnesota scored 43 points, while Cleveland managed only 22. The Timberwolves therefore gained 21 points in a single quarter.

That performance changed the shape of the game. Minnesota’s overall shooting efficiency and three-point accuracy became especially important during this stretch.

Fourth Quarter: Cavaliers 33, Timberwolves 25

Cleveland did not simply disappear after the third quarter.

The Cavaliers scored 33 points in the final period and Minnesota scored 25. Cleveland therefore reduced some of the damage, but the third-quarter deficit was too large to completely overcome.

The final score settled at 131-122.

ESPN’s box score confirms the quarter totals of 31-36-22-33 for Cleveland and 32-31-43-25 for Minnesota.

Donovan Mitchell Leads Cleveland With 30 Points

Donovan Mitchell was Cleveland’s leading scorer with 30 points.

He finished 10-of-20 from the field and added seven rebounds and eight assists. He also recorded two steals.

Mitchell’s 30-point performance was significant because he combined scoring with playmaking. His eight assists matched Darius Garland’s team-high total.

The Cavaliers therefore received a strong offensive contribution from their primary guard while also getting production from other starters.

Mitchell’s shooting line was:

• 30 points
• 10-of-20 field goals
• 2-of-8 three-pointers
• 8-of-9 free throws
• 7 rebounds
• 8 assists
• 2 steals

The numbers show that Mitchell was efficient overall from the field, even though his three-point shooting was less effective than Minnesota’s perimeter production.

Darius Garland Adds 16 Points and 8 Assists

Darius Garland scored 16 points and supplied eight assists.

His eight assists were important because Cleveland finished with 31 team assists. Garland therefore played a major role in moving the offense and creating opportunities for teammates.

Garland finished 7-of-16 from the field and 1-of-4 from three-point range.

His performance was less about leading the scoring column and more about combining scoring with ball distribution.

Evan Mobley Provides Two-Way Production

Evan Mobley recorded 19 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one block.

He shot 8-of-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range.

The three-point shooting is particularly notable. Mobley’s 3-of-5 performance from deep gave Cleveland another frontcourt player capable of stretching the floor.

His overall field-goal efficiency was also strong, as he converted eight of his 11 attempts.

Mobley’s contribution illustrates why looking only at points can miss important parts of a player’s performance. His scoring efficiency, passing, and defensive contribution all added value.

Jarrett Allen Controls the Glass

Jarrett Allen finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, producing a double-double.

He also recorded one assist and two steals.

Allen’s 10 rebounds made him Cleveland’s leading rebounder. His presence on the glass was important because Minnesota finished with a 45-38 rebounding advantage.

Although Cleveland did not win the overall rebounding battle, Allen provided a strong individual effort inside.

His rebounding also helped Cleveland create additional possessions through offensive and defensive work around the basket.

Craig Porter Jr. Starts for Cleveland

Craig Porter Jr. was listed among Cleveland’s starters and played 15 minutes.

He recorded:

• 4 points
• 1 rebound
• 2 assists
• 1 block

His offensive contribution was modest compared with Cleveland’s leading scorers, but his two assists and one block added value in limited playing time.

The Cavaliers relied heavily on their primary offensive players, with Mitchell, Mobley, Garland, and Allen accounting for most of the production from the starting group.

Julius Randle Leads Minnesota

Julius Randle produced one of the most complete performances in the game.

He finished with:

• 28 points
• 11 rebounds
• 8 assists
• 10-of-21 shooting
• 3-of-7 from three-point range
• 5-of-6 free throws

Randle was especially valuable because he did not rely on scoring alone.

His 11 rebounds led Minnesota’s starting group, while his eight assists tied Mitchell for the highest assist total among the leading players in the game.

He also helped Minnesota maintain offensive balance. His ability to score, rebound, and create opportunities meant Cleveland had to account for multiple aspects of his game.

ESPN’s recap identified Randle’s 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists as central to Minnesota’s victory.

Jaden McDaniels Shoots 11-of-14

Jaden McDaniels delivered one of the most efficient scoring performances in the matchup.

He scored 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting.

He also made three of his four three-point attempts.

That means McDaniels converted approximately 79% of his field-goal attempts while also shooting 75% from three.

His complete line was:

• 26 points
• 5 rebounds
• 1 assist
• 11-of-14 field goals
• 3-of-4 three-pointers

This efficiency was particularly important because Minnesota did not need him to take a large volume of shots to produce 26 points.

His scoring efficiency helped Minnesota maintain pressure on Cleveland’s defense.

Anthony Edwards Creates With Scoring and Passing

Anthony Edwards finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.

He shot 10-of-20 from the field and made four of seven three-point attempts.

The nine assists were his most important playmaking contribution in the supplied box-score data.

Edwards therefore approached a double-double while combining scoring, rebounding, and distribution.

His final line included:

• 25 points
• 7 rebounds
• 9 assists
• 10-of-20 field goals
• 4-of-7 three-pointers
• 1 block

ESPN’s recap also noted Edwards’ 25 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.

Donte DiVincenzo Provides Major Three-Point Production

Donte DiVincenzo scored 22 points and was one of Minnesota’s most effective perimeter shooters.

He made six of 10 three-point attempts.

That 60% rate from three was a major contribution to Minnesota’s team total of 20 made threes.

His complete line was:

• 22 points
• 1 rebound
• 4 assists
• 6-of-10 from three-point range

DiVincenzo’s shooting illustrates how Minnesota’s success was not dependent on a single scorer.

The Timberwolves had several players capable of punishing Cleveland from outside.

Rudy Gobert Dominates the Rebounding Numbers

Rudy Gobert scored 11 points and collected 13 rebounds.

He also recorded three assists, two steals, and four offensive rebounds.

The 13 rebounds made Gobert Minnesota’s leading rebounder.

His four offensive rebounds were especially useful because offensive boards can extend possessions and create additional scoring opportunities.

Gobert did not need a high scoring total to influence the game. His value was visible through rebounding, interior presence, and defensive activity.

Naz Reid Adds 9 Points Off the Bench

Naz Reid scored nine points in 24 minutes.

He also recorded six rebounds and three assists.

Reid shot 3-of-6 from the field and made two of four three-point attempts.

His ability to contribute from outside gave Minnesota another shooting option away from the starting lineup.

He also helped the Timberwolves win the overall rebounding battle.

Team Shooting Was the Defining Difference

The clearest statistical separation in this matchup came from shooting efficiency.

Cleveland:

• 48-of-91 from the field
• 11-of-33 from three
• 15-of-21 from the free-throw line

Minnesota:

• 51-of-89 from the field
• 20-of-38 from three
• 9-of-17 from the free-throw line

Cleveland actually shot better from the free-throw line, converting 71% compared with Minnesota’s 53%.

However, free throws did not compensate for the Timberwolves’ enormous advantage from three-point range.

Minnesota’s 20 made three-pointers accounted for 60 points.

Cleveland’s 11 made threes accounted for 33 points.

That created a 27-point difference in made three-point scoring.

The Timberwolves also shot 57% overall, compared with Cleveland’s 53%. ESPN’s team statistics confirm both the field-goal and three-point advantages.

Rebounding Also Favored Minnesota

Minnesota collected 45 rebounds compared with Cleveland’s 38.

The Timberwolves had:

• 10 offensive rebounds
• 35 defensive rebounds

Cleveland recorded:

• 9 offensive rebounds
• 29 defensive rebounds

The seven-rebound overall advantage helped Minnesota control additional possessions.

Gobert’s 13 rebounds and Randle’s 11 were especially important.

For Cleveland, Allen’s 10 rebounds led the team, while Mitchell added seven.

The difference was not overwhelming on the offensive glass, where Minnesota held only a 10-9 advantage. The larger difference came on defensive rebounds, where Minnesota led 35-29.

Cleveland Had More Steals and Fewer Turnovers

One interesting part of the cleveland cavaliers vs timberwolves match player stats is that Minnesota did not win every statistical category.

Cleveland recorded nine steals compared with Minnesota’s eight.

The Cavaliers also had fewer turnovers in the supplied team data.

ESPN lists 13 total turnovers for Cleveland in its team-stat section, compared with 17 for Minnesota.

This shows why a box-score analysis should not focus on only one category.

Cleveland protected the ball better and created more steals, but Minnesota compensated with stronger shooting and rebounding.

Points in the Paint Tell Another Story

Cleveland scored 66 points in the paint, while Minnesota scored 50.

That is a 16-point advantage for the Cavaliers.

This is an important detail because the final score might otherwise suggest that Minnesota controlled every part of the offense.

The opposite is true in this category.

Cleveland generated significant production around the basket, but Minnesota’s perimeter efficiency outweighed that advantage.

The Timberwolves scored 60 points from their 20 three-pointers, while Cleveland scored 33 from its 11 made threes.

ESPN’s matchup statistics confirm Cleveland’s 66-50 advantage in points in the paint.

The Third Quarter Changed the Game

The third quarter deserves special attention when analyzing this matchup.

Cleveland entered halftime with a 67-63 lead.

Minnesota then scored 43 points in the third quarter while holding Cleveland to 22.

That 21-point swing transformed a four-point halftime deficit into a 17-point Minnesota lead entering the fourth.

Cleveland responded in the final quarter, outscoring Minnesota 33-25.

But a team cannot easily recover from a 21-point quarter differential in a game where the opponent is shooting 57% overall.

This is one of the strongest lessons from the box score: quarter-by-quarter performance can reveal momentum changes that the final score alone cannot explain.

Why Minnesota’s Three-Point Shooting Mattered So Much

Minnesota attempted 38 three-pointers and made 20.

That works out to a 53% success rate.

The Timberwolves therefore combined high volume with high efficiency.

Cleveland attempted 33 threes and made 11.

The Cavaliers’ 33% accuracy was not disastrous by itself, but the difference between 53% and 33% became significant because both teams attempted a large number of threes.

The contrast was even clearer among individual players.

DiVincenzo made six threes.

Edwards made four.

Randle and McDaniels each made three.

That gave Minnesota four major contributors who collectively produced 16 made three-pointers.

Individual Efficiency Versus Volume

A useful way to read the cleveland cavaliers vs timberwolves match player stats is to separate scoring volume from shooting efficiency.

Mitchell led Cleveland with 30 points on 20 field-goal attempts.

McDaniels scored 26 points on only 14 attempts.

That difference matters.

McDaniels’ 11-of-14 shooting means he needed considerably fewer attempts to reach 26 points.

Mobley also stood out with 19 points on 11 field-goal attempts.

For Minnesota, McDaniels and DiVincenzo were particularly effective from three.

For Cleveland, Mobley provided an efficient frontcourt scoring performance while Mitchell supplied the volume scoring.

This distinction helps explain how two teams can both score more than 120 points while reaching that production through different offensive methods.

Playmaking Was Relatively Even

Cleveland finished with 31 assists.

Minnesota recorded 33.

The two teams were therefore separated by only two assists.

Individually, several players carried major playmaking responsibilities.

For Cleveland:

• Donovan Mitchell: 8 assists
• Darius Garland: 8 assists
• Craig Porter Jr.: 2 assists
• Evan Mobley: 3 assists
• Jarrett Allen: 1 assist

For Minnesota:

• Anthony Edwards: 9 assists
• Julius Randle: 8 assists
• Donte DiVincenzo: 4 assists
• Rudy Gobert: 3 assists
• Naz Reid: 3 assists

The numbers show that both teams received meaningful creation from their leading players.

Minnesota’s advantage came less from dramatically better assist totals and more from converting its offensive opportunities at a higher rate.

What the Box Score Says About Cleveland

Cleveland’s numbers show an offense that was capable of producing at a high level.

The Cavaliers scored 122 points.

• They shot 53% from the field.
• They recorded 31 assists.
• They scored 66 points in the paint.

Mitchell scored 30, Mobley scored 19, Garland scored 16, and Allen recorded a double-double.

Those numbers are enough to win many games.

The problem was that Minnesota produced even more efficient perimeter offense.

Cleveland’s 11-of-33 three-point shooting limited its ability to match Minnesota’s long-range scoring.

The Cavaliers also lost the rebounding battle by seven.

What the Box Score Says About Minnesota

Minnesota’s statistical profile was balanced.

The Timberwolves had:

• 131 points
• 57% field-goal shooting
• 53% three-point shooting
• 45 rebounds
• 33 assists

They also received at least 20 points from four starters:

• Julius Randle: 28
• Jaden McDaniels: 26
• Anthony Edwards: 25
• Donte DiVincenzo: 22

That distribution reduced the pressure on any one scorer.

Rudy Gobert added 13 rebounds and 11 points, while Naz Reid supplied nine points and six rebounds from the bench.

The result was a team performance built around multiple contributors rather than a single dominant scorer.

Most Important Player Stats at a Glance

Player	Team	PTS	REB	AST	FG
Donovan Mitchell	Cavaliers	30	7	8	10-20
Evan Mobley	Cavaliers	19	4	3	8-11
Darius Garland	Cavaliers	16	1	8	7-16
Jarrett Allen	Cavaliers	11	10	1	5-9
Craig Porter Jr.	Cavaliers	4	1	2	2-5
Julius Randle	Timberwolves	28	11	8	10-21
Jaden McDaniels	Timberwolves	26	5	1	11-14
Anthony Edwards	Timberwolves	25	7	9	10-20
Donte DiVincenzo	Timberwolves	22	1	4	8-13
Rudy Gobert	Timberwolves	11	13	3	5-5
Naz Reid	Timberwolves	9	6	3	3-6

These figures come from the ESPN box score for the matchup.

Comparing the Starting Lineups

The starting lineups also reveal the different ways the teams generated offense.

Cleveland Starting Five

Cleveland started:

• Jarrett Allen
• Evan Mobley
• Donovan Mitchell
• Darius Garland
• Craig Porter Jr.

The lineup combined interior size with two primary scoring and playmaking guards.

Mitchell and Garland handled much of the creation, while Allen and Mobley supplied frontcourt scoring and rebounding.

Minnesota Starting Five

Minnesota started:

• Julius Randle
• Jaden McDaniels
• Rudy Gobert
• Donte DiVincenzo
• Anthony Edwards

This group had multiple perimeter shooting threats and two players capable of handling significant offensive responsibilities in Randle and Edwards.

The starting lineup ultimately produced most of Minnesota’s offensive output.

Attendance and Venue

The game was played at Target Center in Minneapolis.

The listed attendance was 17,274.

Playing at home was part of Minnesota’s context entering the matchup. The Timberwolves had a 14-6 home record listed in the ESPN box score, while Cleveland entered with an 8-9 road record.

The home environment did not determine the result by itself, but it formed part of the broader context around Minnesota’s performance.

Season-Series Context

The supplied game data lists Minnesota as leading the season series 1-0 after this matchup.

A second game was scheduled for January 10, 2026, and Cleveland won that meeting 146-134. ESPN’s recap of the second game reports that Cleveland shot 55-of-92 from the field and 15-of-31 from three while Minnesota scored 134 points.

That second result provides useful context when looking back at the first matchup because the teams played again almost immediately.

The two games therefore offer an interesting comparison in offensive production. Minnesota won the first meeting 131-122, while Cleveland responded with a 146-134 victory in the next game.

How to Read These Player Stats Correctly

Player statistics are most useful when several categories are considered together.

A player with 30 points may have produced those points through highly efficient shooting, a large number of attempts, free throws, or some combination of all three.

Similarly, a player with fewer points can still have a major impact through rebounds, assists, defense, screening, or efficient shooting.

This game provides several examples.

Mitchell’s 30 points came with eight assists and seven rebounds.

Randle’s 28 points came with 11 rebounds and eight assists.

Gobert scored only 11 points but grabbed 13 rebounds.

McDaniels scored 26 points while shooting 11-of-14.

Each line tells a different story.

Important Statistical Lessons From the Game

Several conclusions can be drawn directly from the box score.

Shooting Can Overcome a Paint Advantage

Cleveland scored 66 points in the paint, 16 more than Minnesota.

Yet Minnesota won because of its superior three-point production.

This is an excellent example of why a team can dominate one scoring area without winning the game.

Efficiency Matters Alongside Scoring

McDaniels’ 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting were highly efficient.

Mobley’s 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting were also efficient.

Looking at field-goal attempts alongside points provides more context than points alone.

Rebounding Creates Extra Opportunities

Minnesota’s 45 rebounds compared with Cleveland’s 38.

The difference was seven possessions in the rebounding column, with Minnesota also collecting 10 offensive rebounds.

Turnovers Do Not Always Decide the Result

Minnesota committed more turnovers than Cleveland, yet still won.

That happened because the Timberwolves compensated through shooting, rebounding, and overall scoring efficiency.

Quarter Performance Matters

Minnesota’s 43-point third quarter was arguably the most important numerical event in the game.

The Cavaliers recovered in the fourth, but the third-quarter deficit remained too large.

Complete Statistical Summary

The cleveland cavaliers vs timberwolves match player stats show two productive offenses using different strengths.

Cleveland scored 122 points while shooting 53% overall.

Minnesota scored 131 points while shooting 57%.

Cleveland had the advantage in points in the paint, steals, and free-throw percentage.

Minnesota had the advantage in three-point shooting, total rebounds, and overall field-goal percentage.

The Timberwolves also produced four players with at least 22 points, while Cleveland had one player at 30 and another at 19.

The result was therefore not based on one isolated statistic.

It came from the combination of Minnesota’s perimeter efficiency, rebounding advantage, and huge third-quarter scoring burst.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored the most points in the Cavaliers vs Timberwolves game?

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 30 points. Julius Randle led Minnesota with 28 points. Mitchell’s 30 points were the highest individual scoring total in the matchup.

Who had the most rebounds in the game?

Rudy Gobert led all listed players with 13 rebounds. Julius Randle followed with 11, while Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers with 10 rebounds.

Who had the most assists?

Anthony Edwards recorded nine assists for Minnesota. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland each had eight assists for Cleveland, while Julius Randle also recorded eight.

What was the final score between Cleveland and Minnesota?

The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 131-122 in the January 2026 matchup.

Which team shot better from three-point range?

Minnesota shot 53% from three, making 20 of 38 attempts. Cleveland shot 33%, making 11 of 33 attempts.

Who were the leading scorers for Minnesota?

Julius Randle scored 28 points, Jaden McDaniels scored 26, Anthony Edwards scored 25, and Donte DiVincenzo scored 22.

Conclusion

The cleveland cavaliers vs timberwolves match player stats provide a detailed picture of a game that was decided by efficiency, perimeter shooting, rebounding, and one decisive third quarter.

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 30 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. Evan Mobley added 19 points on efficient shooting, Darius Garland contributed 16 points and eight assists, and Jarrett Allen posted a 10-rebound double-double.

Minnesota received a balanced offensive performance. Julius Randle recorded 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Jaden McDaniels scored 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting, Anthony Edwards added 25 points and nine assists, and Donte DiVincenzo contributed 22 points while making six three-pointers.

The team statistics explain the final result clearly. Minnesota shot 57% from the field and 53% from three, compared with Cleveland’s 53% and 33%. The Timberwolves also won the rebounding battle 45-38.

Cleveland’s 66-50 advantage in points in the paint and its stronger free-throw percentage show that the Cavaliers had clear areas of success. However, Minnesota’s three-point advantage and 43-point third quarter created enough separation to secure the 131-122 victory.

For anyone reviewing this matchup through the box score, the most useful takeaway is that individual scoring totals tell only part of the story. The combination of efficiency, playmaking, rebounding, shooting distribution, and quarter-by-quarter production provides a much clearer explanation of how the game unfolded.