Timberwolves Stumble Against Pistons Despite Edwards’ Career Night
The Minnesota Timberwolves hit a new low on Saturday night, dropping a game to the Detroit Pistons despite a career-high 53 points from Anthony Edwards. This loss marks the team’s third straight defeat and brings their record to an even .500, a far cry from preseason expectations.
While Edwards’ performance was nothing short of spectacular, shooting over 50% from the field and a blistering 67% from three-point range, it wasn’t enough to overcome the lackluster effort from the rest of the squad. The Wolves’ defense, which had been the primary bright spot of the past few weeks, allowed 119 points to a Pistons team missing key player Jaden Ivey.
The rebounding battle was particularly concerning, with Minnesota losing the glass war by 14, giving up 13 offensive rebounds along the way. This discrepancy speaks to a larger issue of effort and energy that has plagued the team in recent games.
Lineup Concerns Persist for Chris Finch
The starting lineup continues to be a point of contention. While head coach Chris Finch has shown flexibility in his crunch-time lineups, the same five players continue to start games together despite diminishing returns. It may be time to consider shaking things up from the opening tip to inject some life into the team’s early-game performance — something that he was less than excited to address in his postgame media availability on Saturday.
Looking Ahead: Clippers Clash
The Wolves face the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. Despite being favored by three points, this game presents a significant challenge, especially with Kawhi Leonard primed to take the court for the second time this season after returning to the Clippers’ lineup over the weekend.
Minnesota has had success against the Clippers this season, winning both previous matchups, albeit without Kawhi on the court. However, with the team’s recent struggles and the return of Leonard, this game could be a real test of the Wolves’ resilience and ability to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing loss.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ recent struggles and upcoming matchups, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• A detailed breakdown of Anthony Edwards’ 53-point performance
• Concerns about Jaden McDaniels’ development and contract situation
• Preview of the upcoming back-to-back games against the Clippers and Pelicans
