Timberwolves Dominate Spurs: McDaniels Shines with First Career Double-Double
The Minnesota Timberwolves continued their impressive recent run, securing their sixth win in seven games with a dominant performance against the San Antonio Spurs. It was also the sixth time in the last seven games in which the Wolves held their opponent to 92 or fewer points.
Jaden McDaniels recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. As is often the case with McDaniels, his impact extended beyond the box score, as he set the tone early with his energy and activity level on both ends of the floor. McDaniels’ defensive prowess was on full display, tallying four steals and consistently disrupting the Spurs’ offense.
The Wolves’ strategy of having Julius Randle guard Victor Wembanyama proved effective, allowing Rudy Gobert to protect the paint. This defensive approach limited Wembanyama to 20 points on 20 shots, forcing four turnovers from the talented rookie.
Anthony Edwards, bench unit star on offense for the Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards continued his strong offensive output, scoring 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting. While his mid-range game was once again a huge part of his shot mix, his overall efficiency and low turnover rate (just one) were crucial to the team’s success.
The bench unit once again proved to be a difference-maker for the Timberwolves. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, in particular, had a stellar outing with 17 points and a game-high plus-minus of +28 in just 24 minutes of play. His energy and scoring punch off the bench were instrumental in maintaining and extending the lead.
Despite a third-quarter push from the Spurs that cut the lead to just three points, the Wolves showed composure and resilience. They tightened up their defense in the fourth quarter, holding San Antonio to just seven points in the first eight minutes of the final frame, effectively sealing the victory.
This win improves the Timberwolves’ record to 14-11, and their ability to bounce back from the Spurs’ third-quarter comeback and close the game out is encouraging as the Wolves head into an extremely difficult stretch in their schedule.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ victory over the Spurs, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Detailed analysis of the Wolves’ defensive strategy against Victor Wembanyama
• The impact of the bench unit, particularly Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s performance
• Upcoming games against the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors
