Hansen Yang made his debut with 2 points and 1 assist in just 5 minutes! The Trail Blazers narrowly lost to the Timberwolves, with Huazi scoring 41 points and Grant adding 29 points.

On October 23rd Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Trail Blazers losing 114-118 to the Timberwolves. Chinese player Hansen Yang debuted in the regular season, playing just the first half for 5 minutes and 16 seconds, scoring 2 points, grabbing 1 rebound, and committing 1 foul, with a field goal percentage of 0-for-1 and perfect free throws at 2-for-2. The Trail Blazers led by 4 points at halftime. In the second half, both teams kept the score close, but the Timberwolves pushed ahead in the crucial moments to secure their season-opening victory. Edwards led the Timberwolves with 41 points, while Grant, coming off the bench, scored 29 points and was the top scorer for the Trail Blazers.

Statistics

Timberwolves: Edwards 41 points 7 rebounds, Randle 19 points 6 rebounds 6 assists, McDaniels 18 points 5 rebounds 3 blocks, Gobert 10 points 6 rebounds, DiVincenzo 7 points 4 rebounds 2 steals 2 blocks, Shannon 10 points 5 rebounds 5 assists, Reed 6 points 3 rebounds

Trail Blazers: Grant 29 points 3 rebounds, Avdija 20 points 7 rebounds, Sharp 15 points 2 rebounds 4 assists, Holiday 14 points 6 rebounds 7 assists, Kamara 10 points 9 rebounds 5 assists, Klingen 8 points 6 rebounds, Murray 7 points, Wesley 7 points 3 rebounds 4 assists, Hansen Yang 2 points 1 rebound

Player of the Game

Edwards played outstandingly, leading the Timberwolves to a narrow victory over the Trail Blazers.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Avdija made two free throws, Sharp scored on a floater, and DiVincenzo scored 5 consecutive points. Edwards and McDaniels hit three-pointers, while Kamara also made two threes in a row. Klingen connected on a three-pointer as well. Grant completed a layup and a 2+1 play. With 7 minutes 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Hansen Yang substituted in for Klingen and received applause from the crowd. DiVincenzo scored on a mid-range shot, Avdija responded with a dunk. Hansen Yang committed a defensive three-second violation; Randle hit consecutive three-pointers, and Avdija and Wesley repeatedly attacked the paint. Sharp and Edwards made three-pointers, and Holiday nailed a buzzer-beater three. At the end of the first quarter, the Trail Blazers led the Timberwolves 35-33.

In the second quarter, Avdija and Holiday scored layups. Gobert made a putback and then hit two free throws. Holiday scored on a hook shot. Four minutes into the quarter, Hansen Yang returned to the court, drew a foul on Randle, and made two free throws, scoring his first points in the NBA regular season. Afterward, Yang faced the “Welcome to the NBA moment,” getting blocked by Gobert and dunked on by McDaniels. After fouling Gobert, Yang was substituted out. Edwards hit a three-pointer, Grant scored 8 consecutive points, and McDaniels added 5 more, cutting the Timberwolves’ deficit to 1 point. Kamara made a putback, Grant continued to attack and score, and Edwards responded in kind. At halftime, the Trail Blazers led 61-57 over the Timberwolves.

In the first half, three Timberwolves players scored in double digits: Edwards with 18 points and 5 rebounds, Randle with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, and McDaniels with 10 points. The Trail Blazers had two players in double figures: Grant with 16 points and 2 rebounds, and Avdija with 10 points and 2 rebounds. Hansen Yang played 5 minutes in the first half, scoring 2 points and grabbing 1 rebound.

After the break, Edwards scored 5 straight points, Klingen made a putback, Sharp scored on a mid-range shot, and Avdija completed a 2+1 play. Klingen was called for a defensive three-second violation. Shannon scored on a putback, Sharp hit a three-pointer, Gobert scored inside, Grant made a three-pointer, Randle scored under the basket, Grant dunked on a drive, and Edwards scored 4 more points in a row. Conley made a three-pointer, Grant converted a 2+1 on a drive, and Edwards dunked. Sharp hit another three-pointer, Wesley scored on a layup, and the Trail Blazers led by 7 points. Shannon and Klingen exchanged three-pointers. At the end of the third quarter, the Trail Blazers led the Timberwolves 95-88.

In the final quarter, Clark and Hyland scored layups, Avdija completed a 2+1 play, and Grant hit a three-pointer. McDaniels scored on a mid-range shot, Gobert made two free throws, but the Timberwolves still trailed by 3 points. Holiday scored on a mid-range shot, Randle hit a three-pointer, and Avdija dunked. Gobert committed an offensive foul and picked up his fifth foul. Edwards scored 5 consecutive points, putting the Timberwolves ahead by 1 point. Holiday made one of two free throws, Grant made both free throws, McDaniels hit a three-pointer, Kamara made two free throws, and Edwards also hit a three-pointer. Grant missed a three-pointer, Gobert scored on a putback, and the Timberwolves led by 4 points. Gobert fouled out with his sixth foul, Avdija made two free throws, and Edwards scored again on a mid-range shot. Ultimately, the Timberwolves narrowly defeated the Trail Blazers.

Starting Lineups

Timberwolves: DiVincenzo, Edwards, McDaniels, Randle, Gobert

Trail Blazers: Holiday, Shai Sharp, Avdija, Kamara, Klingen