The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 120-113, at Target Center on Monday evening.

The Timberwolves (5-9) entered the contest looking to put together a successful opening chapter to the post-Jimmy Butler era. They would get help with the return to action of Jeff Teague, who'd missed seven games with a knee injury. Additionally, they also saw Andrew Wiggins overcome a questionable designation due to a quadriceps injury to also suit up, giving Minnesota a full starting five. However, the Nets (6-8) were more than game, forging a 31-30 first-quarter lead before the home squad pulled ahead and enjoyed a seven-point halftime advantage. The second half would be just as tightly contested, but the T-Wolves would outscore the Nets by a 63-60 margin over the final two periods to seal the win. A gruesome ankle injury suffered by the Nets' Caris LeVert certainly hurt the visitors' chances, and the emerging wing had to exit the court in a wheelchair. Shooting also made a key difference, as Minnesota posted a 52.5 percent success rate, including 43.5 percent from three-point range. In turn, they limited Brooklyn to 39.6 percent shooting, which was key to them securing a win despite committing 23 turnovers.

D'Angelo Russell paced the Nets with 31 points, a total he supplemented with six assists, two rebounds and two steals. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson posted 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Spencer Dinwiddie matched RHJ's scoring total off the bench and added three assists and one steal. DeMarre Carroll provided 11 points, five rebounds and two assists. LeVert pitched in 10 points, five rebounds and four assists over 17 minutes before his injury. Joe Harris and Jared Dudley generated matching eight-point tallies.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 25 points, and he added 21 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. However, he also committed a game-high 10 turnovers. Teague excelled in his return, posting a 24-point, 11-assist double-double that also included one rebound and three steals. Derrick Rose delivered 23 points, six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Taj Gibson managed a near double-double of 17 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Wiggins totaled 13 points, six boards, three assists, one steal and one block.

The Nets head back home and await a visit from the Miami Heat on Wednesday evening, while the Timberwolves remain home and take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night as well.