Cavaliers beat Timberwolves 127-125 in overtime thriller

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, including five in overtime, as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-125 on Monday night. The victory gives Cleveland its fourth straight win at home against Minnesota.

James Harden contributed 19 points and Evan Mobley added 18 for the Cavaliers. Meleek Thomas, selected 34th overall in the June NBA Draft, recorded 16 points in his professional debut.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 47 points. It marks the seventh time in his five-year career that he has scored at least 47 points in a single game. Edwards also posted his highest point total against Cleveland.

Edwards shot 19 of 33 from the field but went just 5 of 15 from three-point range. Jaden McDaniels scored 14 points before fouling out, while Terrence Shannon Jr. added 14 off the bench.

The game featured 15 lead changes and five ties in the final 21 and a half minutes. Minnesota held a 15-point lead in the second quarter and was up 69-58 with 7:31 remaining in the first quarter. Cleveland then scored 12 consecutive points, including eight from Harden, to close the gap.

Harden tied the game at 113 with 10.4 seconds left in regulation via a 7-foot floater from the left corner. Edwards hit a three-pointer to even the score at 121 late in overtime. Mitchell then answered with a 19-foot fadeaway jumper with 48 seconds remaining to put Cleveland ahead for good.

Harden made two free throws with 13 seconds left to extend the lead to 125-122. LaMelo Ball missed both free throws after being fouled by Sam Merrill with 9.2 seconds remaining. Edwards missed an open three-pointer from the top of the key after grabbing the rebound. Peyton Watson then sank two free throws with 3.9 seconds left to seal the win. The Timberwolves host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, while the Cavaliers take on the Washington Wizards at home.