Wait, did that actually happen? If you checked the box score from the January 13, 2026, game between the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Bucks, you probably did a double-take. Or maybe a triple-take.
The final score was 139-106. In favor of Minnesota. On the road.
Now, before you say, "Okay, the Wolves are good," consider this: they did it without Anthony Edwards. They did it without Rudy Gobert. Basically, the two pillars of their entire franchise were watching from the sidelines—Edwards managing a right foot issue and Gobert serving a suspension—and yet, the Wolves didn't just win. They dismantled a Milwaukee team that had Giannis Antetokounmpo on the floor.
It was weird. It was loud. And honestly, it might be the most telling game of the 2025-26 NBA season so far.
The Night the Bench Went Nuclear
Most people figured this game was a "scheduled loss" for Minnesota. You’re missing your 25-point-per-game superstar and your four-time Defensive Player of the Year. You’re playing in Milwaukee. The script says you lose by 15 and move on.
Instead, the Timberwolves shot 59.8% from the field. That’s not a typo. They hit 22 threes. They led by 31 points at halftime—76-45—which is the biggest halftime lead on the road in the history of the Minnesota franchise.
Who even are these guys?
Julius Randle looked like the All-NBA version of himself, dropping 29 points and just bullying people in the paint. But the real story was the guys you usually only see in the fourth quarter of blowouts.
- Bones Hyland: The guy came off the bench and put up 23 points. His plus-minus was a staggering +41.
- Joan Beringer: A 6-foot-11 rookie who, a few years ago, hadn't even picked up a basketball. With Gobert out, he played 30 minutes, scored 13, grabbed five boards, and looked like he belonged.
- Naz Reid: Just doing Naz Reid things. 19 points.
What’s Wrong With the Bucks?
You’ve gotta wonder what’s going on in Milwaukee. They’re sitting at 17-24 right now, which is 11th in the Eastern Conference. For a team with Giannis, that’s borderline catastrophic.
Giannis did his part with 25 points and 8 rebounds, but the help just isn't there consistently. They were missing Myles Turner due to illness, and without that interior presence, Minnesota just lived in the paint. The Bucks' defense looked slow. They looked like a team that didn't expect a fight and didn't know how to react when they got punched in the mouth.
The contrast is wild. Minnesota is 27-14, sitting 4th in a brutal Western Conference. They have "system" wins. Milwaukee has "Giannis, please save us" games. One of those is sustainable; the other is how you end up in the lottery.
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Analyzing the Tactical Shift
Earlier in the season, back in December 2025, these two teams played a much closer game. Minnesota won that one too, 103-100, but it was a grind. Anthony Edwards had to hit a layup with 21 seconds left to seal it.
In that December matchup, the Wolves struggled. They missed their first thirteen 3-pointers. But in this January rematch, Chris Finch (who just returned from an illness himself) clearly told his guys to let it fly.
They realized that without Turner, the Bucks' perimeter defenders are terrified of Giannis having to leave the rim to help. So, the Wolves just ran high high-screen-and-rolls, forced the rotation, and kicked it out. When you hit 22 threes, the game becomes very easy.
Looking Ahead: The Next Steps for Both Teams
If you're a fan or just tracking the Timberwolves vs Bucks rivalry, the narrative has completely flipped. It’s no longer about whether Minnesota can compete with the elite; it’s about whether Milwaukee can even stay in the play-in conversation.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the Wolves' Depth: If you're betting or playing fantasy, don't sleep on the Minnesota bench even when the stars are out. Their "Next Man Up" culture under Finch is real.
- Monitor Giannis's Load: He's trying to hit that 65-game mark to stay eligible for awards, but he’s carrying a massive burden. If the Bucks don't make a move at the trade deadline (which is approaching fast), expect his efficiency to dip as he wears down.
- The Rookie Factor: Keep an eye on Joan Beringer. His performance against the Bucks wasn't just a fluke of energy; his positioning and rim protection for a rookie were surprisingly disciplined.
The Timberwolves head to Houston next, while the Bucks have to travel to San Antonio to face a Spurs team that's currently ahead of them in the overall league hierarchy. If Milwaukee doesn't find some defensive identity soon, that 139-106 blowout won't be an outlier—it'll be the blueprint for everyone else to beat them.
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Next Step for You: Check the updated injury report for the Timberwolves' upcoming game against the Rockets to see if Anthony Edwards' foot maintenance extends to a second game, which would give Bones Hyland another high-usage opportunity.