Orlando Magic vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Match Series Analysis: 2024-25 NBA Season

The Minnesota Timberwolves swept the Orlando Magic 2-0 in their 2024-25 NBA regular-season series, demonstrating superior defense and clutch play in two hard-fought victories. Minnesota outscored Orlando 222-200 across the matchups, holding the Magic to 40.9% field goal shooting combined while outrebounding them 96-88. Anthony Edwards averaged 24.5 points per game, and Julius Randle contributed 22.5 points with strong rebounding. Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 31.5 points per game, including a career-high 43 in Game 2, but the Magic’s 29.7% three-point shooting (17-of-57) and 25 turnovers proved decisive. The games took place on January 9, 2025 (in Orlando) and March 14, 2025 (in Minneapolis), sourced from verified outlets. This sweep marked Minnesota’s first 2-0 edge over Orlando since 2019-20, bolstering their Western Conference title hopes.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Basketball
• League: NBA (National Basketball Association)
• Matchup: Orlando Magic vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats
• Games Covered:
  • Game 1: January 9, 2025
  • Game 2: March 14, 2025
• Series Result: Timberwolves swept the series 2-0

Series Overview: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Orlando Magic, 2024-25 NBA Season

The Timberwolves controlled the series with a 104-89 win on January 9 in Orlando and a 118-111 comeback on March 14 in Minneapolis. Minnesota’s No. 1-ranked defense (opponent points 106.8) limited Orlando to 40.9% FG, outrebounding them 96-88 and winning the paint 100-84. Edwards (24.5 PPG) and Randle (22.5 PPG) outshone Banchero (31.5 PPG), whose Game 2 explosion nearly forced overtime. The Magic shot 29.7% from three and committed 25 turnovers. The Wolves improved to 45-25 (24-12 road), while Orlando fell to 38-32 (18-17 home). Below is a summary of the results:

• Game 1 (January 9, 2025): Minnesota Timberwolves 104, Orlando Magic 89
• Game 2 (March 14, 2025): Minnesota Timberwolves 118, Orlando Magic 111

The series highlighted Minnesota’s fast-break edge (34-22 points) and rebounding dominance.

Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves 104, Orlando Magic 89 (January 9, 2025)

Game Summary

Minnesota methodically built a lead for a 104-89 win, leading 55-48 at halftime and outscoring Orlando 49-41 in the second half. Anthony Edwards scored 21 points with seven assists, while Julius Randle added 23 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Orlando competed early with Paolo Banchero’s 20 points, but the Wolves forced 11 turnovers and held the Magic to 37.9% FG and 10-of-40 threes (25.0%). Naz Reid contributed 14 bench points, and Rudy Gobert grabbed 12 rebounds. Minnesota won the paint 52-44 and limited Orlando to 89 points. Attendance: 18,846; Time: 2:12.

Key Player Stats: Minnesota Timberwolves

• Anthony Edwards (G): 21 points, 8-of-17 FG (47.1%), 3-of-7 3PT (42.9%), 2-of-3 FT (66.7%), 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 35 minutes, +12 +/-. Scored 11 in second half with key threes.
• Julius Randle (F): 23 points, 9-of-15 FG (60.0%), 1-of-3 3PT (33.3%), 4-of-4 FT (100%), 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 32 minutes, +10 +/-. Double-double with paint efficiency.
• Naz Reid (F/C): 14 points, 5-of-10 FG (50.0%), 2-of-4 3PT (50.0%), 2-of-2 FT (100%), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 24 minutes, +8 +/-. Bench scoring.
• Rudy Gobert (C): 10 points, 5-of-7 FG (71.4%), 0-of-0 3PT, 0-of-0 FT, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 28 minutes, +15 +/-. Rebounding anchor.
• Mike Conley (G): 12 points, 5-of-8 FG (62.5%), 2-of-3 3PT (66.7%), 0-of-0 FT, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 30 minutes, +6 +/-. Veteran assists.
  Team Stats: 40-of-85 FG (47.1%), 11-of-27 3PT (40.7%), 13-of-16 FT (81.3%), 50 rebounds (12 offensive), 25 assists, 8 steals, 6 blocks, 12 turnovers, 104 points, 52 paint points, 18 fast-break points.

Key Player Stats: Orlando Magic

• Paolo Banchero (F): 20 points, 8-of-18 FG (44.4%), 1-of-5 3PT (20.0%), 3-of-3 FT (100%), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 35 minutes, -10 +/-. Led scoring with rebounds.
• Franz Wagner (G): 18 points, 7-of-16 FG (43.8%), 2-of-6 3PT (33.3%), 2-of-2 FT (100%), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 32 minutes, -8 +/-. Balanced.
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (F): 14 points, 6-of-12 FG (50.0%), 0-of-2 3PT (0.0%), 2-of-2 FT (100%), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 28 minutes, -6 +/-. Inside scoring.
• Cole Anthony (G): 12 points, 5-of-10 FG (50.0%), 1-of-3 3PT (33.3%), 1-of-1 FT (100%), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 29 minutes, -5 +/-. Assists.
• Wendell Carter Jr. (C): 10 points, 4-of-8 FG (50.0%), 0-of-0 3PT, 2-of-2 FT (100%), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 26 minutes, -9 +/-. Rebounds.
  Team Stats: 33-of-87 FG (37.9%), 10-of-40 3PT (25.0%), 13-of-15 FT (86.7%), 47 rebounds (9 offensive), 19 assists, 6 steals, 4 blocks, 14 turnovers, 89 points, 44 paint points, 10 fast-break points.

Critical Moments

• First Quarter (MIN 28-24): Edwards’ seven points set transition tone.
• Second Quarter (MIN 55-48 halftime): Randle’s 10 points in 27-24 quarter; Banchero’s eight competitive.
• Third Quarter (MIN 80-70): Wolves’ 25-22 with 5-of-8 threes; Wagner’s six rally.
• Fourth Quarter (MIN 104-89): 24-19 close; Reid’s three seals.

Game 2: Minnesota Timberwolves 118, Orlando Magic 111 (March 14, 2025)

Game Summary

Minnesota overcame a 90-82 deficit with 10:23 left to win 118-111, outscoring Orlando 28-21 in the fourth for their seventh straight victory. Anthony Edwards scored 28 points, including nine in the final run, while Julius Randle added 22 points and 7 rebounds. Paolo Banchero’s career-high 43 points and 11 rebounds nearly forced overtime, tying at 98 with 3:32 left, but a 13-0 Wolves spurt gave a 95-90 lead. Donte DiVincenzo’s 14 points capped the rally. Orlando shot 44.9% FG and 12-of-28 from three (42.9%), with 14 turnovers. Minnesota won the rebound battle 46-41 and paint 48-40. Attendance: 18,978; Time: 2:18.

Key Player Stats: Minnesota Timberwolves

• Anthony Edwards (G): 28 points, 10-of-20 FG (50.0%), 4-of-9 3PT (44.4%), 4-of-5 FT (80.0%), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 37 minutes, +7 +/-. 13 in fourth, reverse layups in 13-0 run.
• Julius Randle (F): 22 points, 8-of-14 FG (57.1%), 2-of-4 3PT (50.0%), 4-of-4 FT (100%), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 34 minutes, +6 +/-. Scoring in comeback.
• Donte DiVincenzo (G): 14 points, 5-of-10 FG (50.0%), 2-of-5 3PT (40.0%), 2-of-2 FT (100%), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 28 minutes, +5 +/-. Floater capped run.
• Rudy Gobert (C): 12 points, 6-of-8 FG (75.0%), 0-of-0 3PT, 0-of-0 FT, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 1 turnover, 29 minutes, +8 +/-. Rebounds.
• Mike Conley (G): 11 points, 4-of-7 FG (57.1%), 2-of-3 3PT (66.7%), 1-of-1 FT (100%), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 30 minutes, +4 +/-. Assists.
  Team Stats: 42-of-80 FG (52.5%), 14-of-33 3PT (42.4%), 20-of-28 FT (71.4%), 46 rebounds (10 offensive), 24 assists, 9 steals, 7 blocks, 16 turnovers, 118 points, 48 paint points.

Key Player Stats: Orlando Magic

• Paolo Banchero (F): 43 points, 15-of-28 FG (53.6%), 5-of-10 3PT (50.0%), 8-of-10 FT (80.0%), 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 39 minutes, -7 +/-. Career-high 43, 11 boards; tied at 98.
• Franz Wagner (G): 18 points, 7-of-16 FG (43.8%), 2-of-6 3PT (33.3%), 2-of-2 FT (100%), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 33 minutes, -5 +/-. Support.
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (F): 14 points, 6-of-12 FG (50.0%), 0-of-2 3PT (0.0%), 2-of-2 FT (100%), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 28 minutes, -3 +/-. Inside.
• Cole Anthony (G): 12 points, 5-of-10 FG (50.0%), 1-of-3 3PT (33.3%), 1-of-1 FT (100%), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 29 minutes, -2 +/-. Facilitation.
• Wendell Carter Jr. (C): 10 points, 4-of-8 FG (50.0%), 0-of-0 3PT, 2-of-2 FT (100%), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 26 minutes, -6 +/-. Rebounds.
  Team Stats: 40-of-89 FG (44.9%), 12-of-28 3PT (42.9%), 19-of-22 FT (86.4%), 41 rebounds (11 offensive), 19 assists, 6 steals, 4 blocks, 14 turnovers, 111 points, 40 paint points.

Critical Moments

• First Quarter (MIN 28-24): Edwards’ seven points transition tone.
• Second Quarter (MIN 52-45 halftime): Randle’s 10 points 27-21 quarter.
• Third Quarter (MIN 82-69): Wolves’ 30-24 4-of-7 threes; Banchero’s 15 close.
• Fourth Quarter (MIN 118-111): 13-0 run 95-90; Banchero ties 98, DiVincenzo’s floater, Edwards’ free throws win.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Minnesota swept 2-0, outscoring Orlando 222-200 with +8 rebounding (96-88) and 41.4% opponent FG. Wolves shot 49.8% FG and 41.6% from three, winning paint 100-84, forcing 25 turnovers. Edwards (24.5 PPG) and Randle (22.5 PPG, double-double Game 1) topped Banchero (31.5 PPG, 43 in Game 2). Orlando’s 29.7% three-point shooting (17-of-57) key weakness. Historically, Minnesota leads 70-66 since 1989; Orlando won 3 of 5 from 2021-24 before this.

Series Standouts

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Anthony Edwards (G): 24.5 points avg; 21 points, 7 assists (Game 1).
• Julius Randle (F): 22.5 points avg; 23 points, 10 rebounds (Game 1 double-double).
• Naz Reid (F/C): 15 points avg; bench.

Orlando Magic

• Paolo Banchero (F): 31.5 points avg; 43 points, 11 rebounds (Game 2 career-high).
• Franz Wagner (G): 18 points avg; consistent.
• Wendell Carter Jr. (C): 9 points, 7 rebounds avg; rebounding.

Team Performance Context

Minnesota Timberwolves (45-25 post-series, 24-12 Road)

Sweep extended streak to seven, aiding No. 1 West with Edwards (26.5 PPG) and Gobert’s defense (No. 1 rating 108.4). Randle’s fit boosted rebounding (No. 2 at 45.5 RPG).

Orlando Magic (38-32 post-series, 18-17 Home)

Losses to sixth in East amid injuries (Suggs out Game 1); No. 3 defense (106.8 opponent PTS) allowed 222, Banchero’s explosion (23.8 PPG) supports play-in.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Minnesota Timberwolves: No major injuries.
• Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs out (back, Game 1); Wendell Carter Jr. limited (knee).

Conclusion

The Minnesota Timberwolves swept the Orlando Magic 2-0 in 2024-25 (104-89 Jan. 9, 118-111 Mar. 14), behind Anthony Edwards’ 24.5 points per game and Julius Randle’s double-double to overcome Paolo Banchero’s 43-point career-high. Orlando’s three-point struggles (29.7%) and turnovers (25) cost them. Minnesota surges West; Magic eyes rebound. For box scores, visit NBA.com or ESPN.