Game ID: 22500439
Brooklyn Nets @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
MIN 30 33 23 21 107BKN 33 29 36 25 123
BKN @ MIN ScoutingBKN @ MIN Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
MIN availability going into 12/19 · 1 day's restOUT Edwards missed 3 since 12/12, returns tonight: 41 min (118% of 35)
OUT Conley missed 3 since 12/12, out tonight
BACK Hyland back 12/08 after 3, 23 min since (141% of 16)
NEW McDaniels 32 to 37 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT Conley missed 4 since 12/12, returns tonight: 24 min (136% of 18)
BACK Edwards back 12/19 after 3, 41 min since (118% of 35)
BACK Hyland back 12/08 after 3, 21 min since (133% of 16)
NEW McDaniels 32 to 37 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restBACK Edwards back 12/19 after 3, 39 min since (112% of 35)
BACK Conley back 12/21 after 4, 24 min since (136% of 18)
NEW Hyland 16 to 22 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restBACK Edwards back 12/19 after 3, 38 min since (110% of 35)
BACK Conley back 12/21 after 4, 27 min since (152% of 18)
NEW Hyland 16 to 26 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restBACK Edwards back 12/19 after 3, 39 min since (113% of 35)
BACK Conley back 12/21 after 4, 21 min since (120% of 18)
NEW Hyland 16 to 23 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restBACK Edwards back 12/19 after 3, 38 min since (110% of 35)
BACK Conley back 12/21 after 4, 21 min since (120% of 18)
MIN availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Shannon Jr. missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
BACK Conley back 12/21 after 4, 20 min since (115% of 18)
MIN availability going into 1/03 · 2 days' restOUT Shannon Jr. missed 3 since 12/27, out tonight
MIN availability going into 1/04 · back-to-backOUT Shannon Jr. missed 4 since 12/27, out tonight
BKN availability going into 12/14 · 1 day's restOUT Thomas missed 16 since 11/07, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 2 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 5 since 12/01, out tonight
BACK Porter Jr. back 12/01 after 2, 34 min since (106% of 32)
BACK Mann back 12/04 after 2, 24 min since (98% of 24)
BACK Traore back 12/12 after 9, 9 min since (40% of 22)
BACK Wilson back 12/04 after 2, 10 min since (61% of 16)
NEW Clowney 27 to 32 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 12/18 · 3 days' restOUT Thomas missed 17 since 11/07, out tonight
OUT Saraf missed 2 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 3 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 6 since 12/01, out tonight
BACK Mann back 12/04 after 2, 23 min since (95% of 24)
BACK Traore back 12/12 after 9, 9 min since (41% of 22)
BACK Wilson back 12/04 after 2, 9 min since (56% of 16)
BKN availability going into 12/21 · 2 days' restOUT Thomas missed 18 since 11/07, out tonight
OUT Saraf missed 3 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 4 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 7 since 12/01, out tonight
BACK Mann back 12/04 after 2, 24 min since (101% of 24)
BACK Traore back 12/12 after 9, 9 min since (41% of 22)
BACK Wilson back 12/04 after 2, 10 min since (62% of 16)
BKN availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Thomas missed 19 since 11/07, out tonight
OUT Saraf missed 4 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 5 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 8 since 12/01, out tonight
BACK Traore back 12/12 after 9, 14 min since (61% of 22)
BKN availability going into 12/27 · 3 days' restOUT Thomas missed 20 since 11/07, returns tonight: 20 min (82% of 24)
OUT Powell missed 2 since 12/21, returns tonight: 18 min (84% of 21)
OUT Saraf missed 5 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Wilson missed 2 since 12/21, returns tonight: 1 min (8% of 16)
OUT Etienne missed 6 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 9 since 12/01, out tonight
BACK Traore back 12/12 after 9, 14 min since (62% of 22)
BKN availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Saraf missed 6 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 7 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 10 since 12/01, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/27 after 20, 20 min since (82% of 24)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 2, 18 min since (84% of 21)
BACK Wilson back 12/27 after 2, 1 min since (8% of 16)
BKN availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Williams missed 2 since 12/27, returns tonight: 27 min (117% of 23)
OUT Saraf missed 7 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Martin missed 2 since 12/27, returns tonight: 18 min (96% of 19)
OUT Etienne missed 8 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 11 since 12/01, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/27 after 20, 19 min since (80% of 24)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 2, 17 min since (83% of 21)
BACK Wilson back 12/27 after 2, 1 min since (8% of 16)
NEW Dëmin 25 to 30 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/02 · back-to-backOUT Saraf missed 8 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 9 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 12 since 12/01, returns tonight: 3 min (23% of 13)
BACK Thomas back 12/27 after 20, 20 min since (84% of 24)
BACK Williams back 1/01 after 2, 27 min since (117% of 23)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 2, 20 min since (96% of 21)
BACK Martin back 1/01 after 2, 18 min since (96% of 19)
BACK Wilson back 12/27 after 2, 12 min since (75% of 16)
NEW Dëmin 25 to 31 min over the last 4
BKN availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT Porter Jr. missed 2 since 1/01, returns tonight: 32 min (99% of 32)
OUT Saraf missed 9 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 10 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/27 after 20, 20 min since (84% of 24)
BACK Williams back 1/01 after 2, 25 min since (111% of 23)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 2, 20 min since (98% of 21)
BACK Martin back 1/01 after 2, 12 min since (61% of 19)
BACK Wilson back 12/27 after 2, 13 min since (84% of 16)
BACK Liddell back 1/02 after 12, 3 min since (23% of 13)
NEW Dëmin 25 to 30 min over the last 4
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 30 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Randle at 22 a game. One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 99, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 25 and Dëmin at 14 a game. Without Thomas (20 straight), Powell (2 straight), Saraf (5 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 99 a night to Minnesota's 114 and the line, where Minnesota takes 30 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 20. Call it Minnesota 113, Brooklyn 109, Brooklyn keeping it close.
12/19 vs OKC 112-107 — MIN notes
MIN won 112-107. MIN shot 38% (33 of 88) to OKC's 37%, 13 of 37 from three, and went to the line 47 times to OKC's 30 — 33 points from the stripe to their 28. Edwards led with 26 (9 of 20, 3 of 6 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Randle added 19, DiVincenzo 15. The hinge was Q2, 25-18: the deficit went from 10 to 3. MIN trailed 48-51 at the half and won the second half 64-56. DiVincenzo was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
12/21 vs MIL 103-100 — MIN notes
MIN won 103-100. MIN shot 42% (37 of 88) to MIL's 40%, 14 of 46 from three. MIN turned it over 10 times to MIL's 16. Edwards led with 24 (7 of 24, 2 of 11 from three, 8 of 12 at the line); DiVincenzo added 18, Randle 12. The hinge was Q3, 27-15: MIN came in trailing by 12 and left it level. MIN trailed 48-60 at the half and won the second half 55-40. Reid was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
12/23 vs NYK 115-104 — MIN notes
MIN won 115-104. MIN shot 45% (42 of 93) to NYK's 41%, 15 of 46 from three, and went to the line 23 times to NYK's 15 — 16 points from the stripe to their 11. MIN turned it over 11 times to NYK's 19. The glass went 42-55 against them. Edwards led with 38 (15 of 27, 4 of 10 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Randle added 25, Gobert 11. The hinge was Q4, 30-25: a lead of 6 became 11, and the lead reached 17. Hyland was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
12/25 @ DEN 138-142 — MIN notes
MIN lost 138-142 in 1 overtime. MIN shot 49% (51 of 104) to DEN's 47%, 12 of 45 from three. Edwards led with 44 (14 of 25, 5 of 14 from three, 11 of 13 at the line); Randle added 32, McDaniels 21. Q4 was theirs, 37-23, the deficit cut from 14 to 0, but the other 4 periods went 119-101 against them. Edwards's -17 in 42 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/27 vs BKN 107-123 — MIN notes
MIN lost 107-123. MIN shot 45% (37 of 83) to BKN's 55%, 13 of 31 from three, and went to the line 28 times to BKN's 21 — 20 points from the stripe to their 20. Edwards led with 28 (10 of 22, 2 of 7 from three, 6 of 9 at the line); McDaniels added 16, Randle 13. Q2 was theirs, 33-29, turning a 3-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 94-74 against them. DiVincenzo's -22 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/29 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; White at 17 and Buzelis at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 30 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Randle at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-6 a night and Minnesota minus-3 and the arc, Chicago at 38 percent from three to Minnesota's 33. Call it Chicago 119, Minnesota 118, Minnesota keeping it close.
12/31 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 134, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Johnson at 26 and Young at 24 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Porziņģis (10 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 31 and Randle at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 114 a night to Atlanta's 134 and the glass, where Minnesota has been minus-3 a night and Atlanta minus-11. Call it Minnesota 122, Atlanta 119, Atlanta keeping it close.
1/03 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Powell at 25 and Jaquez Jr. at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Herro (9 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Randle at 21 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been plus-5 a night and Minnesota minus-3. Call it Miami 121, Minnesota 116.
1/04 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; McCollum at 18 and Johnson at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without George (4 straight), Watkins (2 straight), Kispert (5 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Randle at 21 a game. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the defense, Washington allowing 111 a night to Minnesota's 121 and the glass, where Washington has been plus-6 a night and Minnesota plus-0. Call it Washington 118, Minnesota 117, Minnesota keeping it close.
12/14 vs MIL 127-82 — BKN notes
BKN won 127-82. BKN shot 53% (45 of 85) to MIL's 39%, 19 of 43 from three. BKN turned it over 13 times to MIL's 20. Dëmin led with 17 (6 of 8, 2 of 4 from three); Clowney added 16, Martin 14. The hinge was Q4, 28-11: a lead of 28 became 45. Powell was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
12/18 vs MIA 95-106 — BKN notes
BKN lost 95-106. BKN took 9 more shots (98 to 89), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to MIA's 46%, 11 of 49 from three, and got to the line 11 times to MIA's 19. Porter Jr. led with 28 (10 of 24, 5 of 14 from three); Claxton added 16, Dëmin 14. Q3 was theirs, 24-23, the deficit cut from 5 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 83-71 against them. Claxton's -12 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/21 vs TOR 96-81 — BKN notes
BKN won 96-81. BKN shot 47% (35 of 75) to TOR's 37%, 14 of 35 from three, and went to the line 16 times to TOR's 8 — 12 points from the stripe to their 7. BKN turned it over 21 times to TOR's 15. Porter Jr. led with 24 (9 of 18, 4 of 8 from three); Clowney added 19, Dëmin 16. The hinge was Q4, 29-16: a lead of 2 became 15. Clowney was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
12/23 @ PHI 114-106 — BKN notes
BKN won 114-106. BKN shot 43% (35 of 82) to PHI's 41%, 17 of 45 from three. Porter Jr. led with 28 (9 of 20, 5 of 12 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); Dëmin added 20, Claxton 16. The hinge was Q2, 36-30: from level to 6 ahead, and the lead reached 19. Sharpe was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
12/27 @ MIN 123-107 — BKN notes
BKN won 123-107. BKN shot 55% (46 of 84) to MIN's 45%, 11 of 40 from three, and got to the line 21 times to MIN's 28. Thomas led with 30 (9 of 15, 3 of 8 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); Porter Jr. added 27, Claxton 14. The hinge was Q3, 36-23: BKN came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 12, and the lead reached 21. BKN trailed 62-63 at the half and won the second half 61-44. Thomas was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
12/29 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 96, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 24 and Dëmin at 15 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Saraf (6 straight), Etienne (7 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 26 and Butler III at 22 a game. Without Kuminga (4 straight), Santos (2 straight), Spencer (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 96 a night to Golden State's 114. Call it Brooklyn 114, Golden State 109.
1/01 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 104, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 27 and Dëmin at 16 a game. Without Williams (2 straight), Saraf (7 straight), Martin (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 114, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Sengun at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Sengun (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-11 a night and Brooklyn plus-0 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 104 a night to Houston's 114. Call it Houston 113, Brooklyn 112, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/02 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; McCollum at 17 and Johnson at 15 a game. Without George (3 straight), Kispert (4 straight), Cooper (14 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 26 and Thomas at 21 a game. Without Saraf (8 straight), Etienne (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 107 a night to Washington's 117 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 16 times a game to Washington's 13. Call it Washington 114, Brooklyn 113, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/04 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 27 and Thomas at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Porter Jr. (2 straight), Saraf (9 straight), Etienne (10 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 37 and Murray at 27 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jokić (2 straight), Braun (23 straight), Johnson (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 114 a night to Denver's 126 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 15 times a game to Denver's 12. Call it Denver 117, Brooklyn 116, Brooklyn keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
MINAE A. Edwards
BH B. Hyland
DD D. DiVincenzo
JC J. Clark
JJ J. Juzang
JM J. McDaniels
JR J. Randle
NR N. Reid
RD R. Dillingham
RG R. Gobert
BKNCT C. Thomas
DP D. Powell
DS D. Sharpe
DW D. Wolf
DE Demin
ED E. Dëmin
JW J. Wilson
MP M. Porter Jr.
NC N. Claxton
NC N. Clowney
NT N. Traore
TM T. Mann
MIN/BKN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Thomas scores 30 points in return from hamstring injury as Nets top Timberwolves 123-107
MINNEAPOLIS -- — Cam Thomas scored 30 points in his return after missing 20 games with a left hamstring strain, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-107 on Saturday night.
Michael Porter Jr . added 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who had six players score in double figures. Brooklyn (10-19) has won four of five and five of seven.
The Nets, who improved to 7-3 in December, are allowing an NBA-low 103.1 points per game this month.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota (20-12) with 28 points, but the Timberwolves dropped back-to-back games for the third time this season. Minnesota lost 142-138 in overtime Thursday at Denver.
Five players scored in double digits for Minnesota. Jaden McDaniels had 16 points, while Naz Reid and Julius Randle each added 13.
Thomas, who played just under 20 minutes, scored 12 straight Brooklyn points in the third quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers, for an 89-82 lead. The Brooklyn guard is averaging 22.3 points on 42.2% shooting in nine games this season.
Day’Ron Sharpe scored six of the Nets' final eight points of the quarter for a 98-86 advantage. A pull-up jumper by Thomas, followed by four points from Danny Wolf , made it 104-86 early in the fourth.
Porter's 3 gave the Nets a 120-102 lead with 1:57 to play. In eight games this month, he is averaging 28.4 points on 51.1% shooting, including 46.7% from outside the arc. He’s also grabbing 7.5 rebounds and dishing out 3.1 assists per game.
An MRI on Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr ., who exited Thursday’s loss to Denver, showed a left foot strain. Shannon will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Up next Nets: Host the Golden State Warriors on Monday.
Timberwolves: Start a four-game trip Monday in Chicago.