The Minnesota Timberwolves head to Dallas on Wednesday night to face the Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Both teams need wins, but they arrive in very different positions. Minnesota is sixth in the West at 28-19. Dallas is 19-27 and trying to stay alive in the play-in race.Injuries shape this matchup more than anything else. Several regular starters will not play, and that changes how both teams are likely to approach the game.
Minnesota Timberwolves injury report vs Dallas Mavericks (January 28, 2026)
Minnesota Timberwolves are without its top scorer. Anthony Edwards will not play due to injury management. His absence removes a major scoring option and forces the offense to slow down. Terrence Shannon Jr. remains out with a foot injury. Aside from those two, the rest of the rotation is expected to be available.With Edwards out, Minnesota will lean more on Karl-Anthony Towns in the post and at the perimeter. Rudy Gobert will be central on defense and on the glass. Mike Conley will handle most of the playmaking. Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, and Donte DiVincenzo are expected to play larger roles, especially on defense.
Dallas Mavericks injury report vs Timberwolves (January 28, 2026)
Dallas Mavericks are dealing with a much longer list. Kyrie Irving is out following knee surgery. Dante Exum is out for the season with a knee injury. Dereck Lively II is also done for the year with a foot injury. Anthony Davis will not play due to a hand or finger sprain.Several players are listed as day-to-day. Cooper Flagg is managing an ankle issue and will be a game-time decision. Moussa Cisse is questionable due to illness. Miles Kelly is questionable as well. Max Christie, Klay Thompson, and Brandon Williams are all day-to-day and expected to play, though minutes could be limited.With Irving, Davis, and Lively out, Dallas will rely heavily on Cooper Flagg on both ends of the floor.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks Recent meetings
These teams have played seven times over the last two seasons. Dallas holds a slight edge overall, but Minnesota has won three of the last four games. The most recent meeting was a 120-96 Timberwolves win in Dallas on November 17, 2025. Minnesota controlled the paint and the glass in that game.
How the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks matchup breaks down
Minnesota is built around defense and rebounding. Gobert anchors the paint, and Towns adds size and scoring. Even without Edwards, the Wolves can score through the post and second chances.Dallas depends on Dončić to create offense. The Mavericks take a high number of three-point shots, but their defense and rebounding suffer when their top bigs are unavailable. Minnesota’s size advantage inside is clear. Dallas’ guard depth is also thin, which puts more pressure on Davis late in the game.
What to expect in tonight’s Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks game
Dallas will need a big scoring night from Dončić to stay close. Minnesota will look to slow the game down, control rebounds, and attack the paint. If the Timberwolves win the rebounding battle and avoid turnovers, they are in a strong position to leave Dallas with a road win.