Timberwolves Stumble Against Shorthanded Kings
The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a disappointing loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, falling short despite facing a team that had just traded away their star player, De’Aaron Fox. It was the second consecutive loss for the Wolves, following a frustrating stumble against the NBA’s worst team, the Washington Wizards, on Saturday.
The game started with both teams trading baskets at a frenetic pace. While the Wolves’ offense was clicking early, their defense left much to be desired. The Kings managed to pour in 38 points in the first quarter alone, exposing Minnesota’s defensive vulnerabilities.
As the game progressed, the Wolves’ bench unit, led by Jaylen Clark and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, provided a much-needed defensive spark. Their intensity and effort on that end of the floor helped tighten things up, but the damage had already been done.
Timberwolves’ offense struggles down the stretch
DeMar DeRozan proved to be the difference-maker for Sacramento, torching the Wolves for 33 points on efficient shooting. DeRozan found ways to exploit Minnesota’s defensive scheme, particularly when Gobert was playing in a deep drop coverage. The Wolves eventually adjusted, but it was too late, and DeRozan was already in a nearly-unstoppable groove.
Offensively, the Wolves struggled to create quality looks for Anthony Edwards down the stretch. The Kings aggressively doubled Edwards, forcing the ball out of his hands and daring other Wolves players to beat them. Unfortunately, Minnesota lacked the secondary creators needed to punish Sacramento for this strategy. This was the second straight game that head coach Chris Finch may have been better-served to turn back to rookie Rob Dillingham down the stretch instead of veteran Mike Conley, who doesn’t exactly strike fear in the heart of opposing defenses at this stage in his career.
Naz Reid was a bright spot for the Wolves, pouring in 30 points on efficient shooting. His hot start kept Minnesota in the game early, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the team’s overall offensive struggles in crunch time.
Looking ahead, the Wolves face a critical stretch of winnable games before the All-Star break. With matchups against the Bulls, Rockets, and Trail Blazers on the horizon, Minnesota needs to right the ship quickly to maintain their position in the competitive Western Conference standings.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Wolves’ loss to the Kings, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Rob Dillingham’s impact and potential increased role
• Rudy Gobert’s strong performance despite the loss
• Jaden McDaniels’ offensive contributions
