Ben Beecken here, the host of the daily Locked On Wolves podcast, with your daily Locked On Wolves newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Wolves and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Anthony Edwards drops 41, lifts Minnesota Timberwolves past the lowly Wizards
Timberwolves Overcome Sluggish Start to Defeat Wizards: Edwards Shines with 41 Points
The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 14-point victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night, but the win didn’t come as easily as one might have expected.
Despite facing the NBA’s worst team, the Wolves found themselves trailing late in the third quarter before pulling away for the win. Anthony Edwards was the star of the show, dropping 41 points and leading the charge in the fourth quarter. His performance was crucial in securing the victory, but it certainly wasn’t perfect: Edwards committed seven turnovers, highlighting a persistent issue for the Timberwolves this season.
Turnovers have been a thorn in the Wolves’ side throughout the year, and this game was no exception. The team coughed up the ball 19 times, allowing the Wizards - and their league-worst offense - to stay competitive for much of the contest. This problem has been particularly glaring against better teams, and it’s something that needs to be addressed as we approach the tougher stretches of our schedule.
Julius Randle, Naz Reid Contribute to the Timberwolves’ Win
Julius Randle continued his recent strong play, notching 20 points and 10 rebounds. His last few performances have been encouraging, and it seems he’s finding his rhythm. Naz Reid also made a significant impact off the bench, contributing 12 points and five rebounds in just 24 minutes of play.
While the win is certainly welcome, concerns remain about the Wolves’ inability to dominate inferior opponents consistently. This lack of a killer instinct could prove problematic as Minnesota faces tougher competition in the coming weeks.
Looking ahead, matchups against Golden State, New York, and Cleveland in the next few days will challenge the Wolves significantly more than the Washington Wizards.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ performance against the Wizards, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Detailed breakdown of Anthony Edwards’ 41-point performance
• Analysis of the Timberwolves’ turnover issues and their impact on game outcomes
• Discussion on Julius Randle’s recent strong performances and his fit with the team
Jan 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. | John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Something I realized last night at the Warriors-Raptors game, perhaps more pressingly than the last time the team was in town a season ago — this thing isn’t going to last forever.
You wouldn’t get that impression from Steph Curry, who takes his pre-game warmup last and happily engages with the fans who show up an hour before tip-off to watch him. Curry’s off-court presence, compared to his superstar contemporaries, has always been demure and private, but watching him revel and work within that outsized adoration is a privilege in itself. No fan in attendance watching him take feathery lob after feathery lob, or take a volleyball spike to the basketball so he could meet it mid-air for a dunk, was thinking about the finite nature of Curry — performer or competitor.
Even if the underlying desire of proximity to greatness stems from the understanding that one day that greatness will no longer exist, that reality doesn’t translate in the moment. In the moment, there’s just Curry, laughing with his coaches, signing the backs of jerseys, going through footwork, prepping for the night’s game.
Where the impression of a dynasty in its final stages becomes more pronounced is through the words of Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. Asked about how difficult it is to maintain a dynasty, and Kerr reverted to Curry.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Replay Anthony Edwards ignited a fourth-quarter surge as the Timberwolves pulled away from the Wizards, showcasing his dominance. Catch the key moments of his performance here. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Terrence Shannon Jr. could miss up to a month due to a foot injury. This absence is significant for the Timberwolves’ rotation. More information on the injury can be found here. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read Explore the full 2025 NBA mock draft with predictions and pro comparisons that could impact the Timberwolves’ future prospects. Dive into the analysis here. (Bleacher Report)
Trade Speculate on what the Timberwolves might do if the 2025 NBA trade deadline were today. This analysis provides insights into potential moves. Discover the scenarios here. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis TheDetroit Pistons are emerging as a serious surprise story this season. (TSN)
Biz Explosive court documents show co-conspirators and other shocking details in Jontay Porter’s ongoing betting scandal. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Injury Update: Key Players Sidelined and Return Timelines For Fantasy Basketball
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) attempts a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, injuries continue to play a significant role in shaping team dynamics and fantasy basketball strategies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most impactful injuries across the league and their potential implications.
The Utah Jazz are once again at the forefront of injury-related drama. Lauri Markkanen’s back spasms and John Collins’ hip issue have raised eyebrows, with many speculating about potential load management strategies. Keyonte George’s heel soreness has kept him out for five consecutive games, while Jordan Clarkson’s plantar fascia injury could potentially end his season. The Jazz’s injury situation is one to monitor closely, as it could lead to increased opportunities for players like Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s knee injury has kept him out for four consecutive games. This absence highlights the risks associated with drafting Embiid in the first round of fantasy drafts. With a busy schedule ahead, including back-to-back sets, Embiid’s playing time could be limited even upon his return.
For more insights and a deeper dive into NBA injuries and their fantasy implications, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Portland Trail Blazers injury updates
• Phoenix Suns roster changes and injury concerns
• Orlando Magic’s lengthy injury report and fantasy implications
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
Minnesota Timberwolves stage huge comeback but fall to Warriors after late defensive lapses The Minnesota Timberwolves spotted the Golden State Warriors a 22-point lead at the end of the first quarter but still managed to claw back, tying the game in the final frame. But late defensive lapses allowed Steph Curry to lead the Warriors to the victory as the Wolves continue to struggle with both slow starts to contests and late-game execution alike.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have one major area of regression on offense this season... The Minnesota Timberwolves have a mediocre offense so far this season, just as they did last year. However, there is one area in which they were among the NBA’s best last season and are struggling mightily this year. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down what it is, and why it’s so important to the Wolves’ success.
Anthony Edwards drops 41, lifts Minnesota Timberwolves past the lowly Wizards The Minnesota Timberwolves started slow but eventually pulled away from the NBA’s worst team as Anthony Edwards dropped 41 points and the Wolves eventually put away the Washington Wizards.
