Cavaliers beat Timberwolves in overtime thriller

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-125 on Monday night in an overtime game that saw Cleveland overcome a 15-point deficit. Donovan Mitchell hit a midrange jumper with one second remaining in the extra period to secure the win for the hosts.

The result snapped the Timberwolves' perfect start to the season. Minnesota had won its first three games by margins of 20 points or more. The loss marks the first time the team has dropped a contest this year.

Anthony Edwards finished with a season-high 47 points for Minnesota. The guard missed a wide-open three-point shot with 3.9 seconds left in regulation that would have tied the game. Instead, Peyton Watson collected the rebound and made two free throws to extend the Cleveland lead. Edwards hit a three-pointer at the buzzer of regulation to finish the scoring sequence.

James Harden contributed 22 points and nine assists for Cleveland. The point guard tied the game at 113 with a floater with 10 seconds remaining in regulation. Evan Mobley added 15 points and eight rebounds. Rookie Meleek Thomas scored 16 points in his NBA debut, coming off the bench.

The fourth quarter featured intense back-and-forth play. Cleveland used a 12-0 run midway through the third quarter to take a 70-69 lead. That stretch was fueled by eight points from Harden. The final four and a half minutes of the third quarter saw nine lead changes and two ties, ending with the score at 86-86.

Minnesota took a 29-16 lead in the first quarter. Edwards scored 11 points in that period while Jaden McDaniels added nine. Meleek Thomas scored eight points in six minutes to help Cleveland reduce the deficit to 31-24 after the first quarter. The Timberwolves entered halftime with a 60-50 lead.

Rudy Gobert recorded 19 rebounds and five points for Minnesota. However, the center missed all eight of his field goal attempts during the game. LaMelo Ball finished with 11 points and seven turnovers for the visitors.

Edwards was listed as questionable to play due to right-knee injury management. He appeared in pain at various points during Sunday's win over Toronto, grimacing after a dunk and grabbing his leg after a collision. Minnesota coach Chris Finch said the team is evaluating the injury daily and does not consider it a long-term concern.

The Timberwolves played their first back-to-back set of the season. They defeated the Toronto Raptors 117-94 at home on Sunday before traveling to Cleveland for Monday's contest. The game featured four ties and 12 lead changes in the final 16 and a half minutes of regulation.