Timberwolves Secure Ugly Win Against Depleted Hawks, Reach New Season Milestone
The Minnesota Timberwolves managed to eke out an 8-point victory against a severely undermanned Atlanta Hawks team, pushing their record to four games above .500 for the first time this season.
While the win is certainly welcome, the performance left much to be desired and raised concerns about the team’s consistency.
Atlanta took the floor without most of their starting lineup, with only Onyeka Okongwu representing their usual first five. Despite this significant advantage, Minnesota struggled to put the game away, allowing the Hawks to keep things competitive until the final minutes.
Timberwolves encounter offensive struggles
The Timberwolves’ offensive woes were particularly glaring. The Wolves shot a dismal 39.5% from the field, including a cold 30% from beyond the arc. Free throw shooting was equally problematic, with the team converting only 69% of their attempts from the charity stripe. These shooting struggles, combined with 16 turnovers, kept the door open for Atlanta far longer than it should have been.
Defensively, Minnesota’s point-of-attack defense was lackadaisical, allowing too many straight-line drives to the basket. The fact that they allowed 38 points in the paint to this depleted Hawks roster — and only managed an identical 38 points in the paint themselves on the other end of the floor — is a cause for concern.
A few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable game
Despite the overall poor team performance, there were a few individual bright spots.
Rudy Gobert put up a solid 18-point, 10-rebound double-double on efficient 7-of-9 shooting. Naz Reid provided a spark off the bench, starting the game 5-for-5 from the field and finishing with 15 points. Julius Randle also contributed 20 points and 8 rebounds, though his 5 turnovers somewhat marred his stat line.
An interesting wrinkle emerged in the fourth quarter when coach Chris Finch deployed a three-big lineup featuring Gobert, Randle, and Reid. This grouping proved effective, outscoring the Hawks 12-4 in a crucial four-minute stretch to open the frame.
While securing the win and reaching the four-games-above-.500 milestone are positives, this performance against a severely depleted opponent raises questions about the team’s readiness for tougher challenges ahead. The Timberwolves will need to address their offensive inconsistencies and perimeter defense if they hope to make noise in the competitive Western Conference.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ performance against the Hawks, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Anthony Edwards’ struggles and poor shot selection
• Mike Conley’s off night and its impact on the offense
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s injury scare and subpar performance
