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Minnesota Timberwolves stage huge comeback but fall to Warriors after late defensive lapses
Timberwolves Falter Late Against Warriors: A Tale of Missed Opportunities
The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a gut-wrenching loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, squandering a remarkable comeback effort.
Despite trailing by as many as 24 points, the Wolves clawed their way back into things, only to fall short in the final moments due to defensive lapses and poor execution on the glass.
A tangible example of the Timberwolves’ ongoing issues
The game’s closing minutes were a microcosm of the Wolves’ season-long struggles. With the score tied and just over a minute remaining, a communication breakdown between Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid left Stephen Curry wide open in the corner. The Warriors’ sharpshooter made them pay, draining a crucial three-pointer to put Golden State ahead.
On the ensuing possession, the Wolves managed to cut the lead to one, but a series of mistakes in the final seconds sealed their fate. Edwards failed to box out Andrew Wiggins on a missed free throw and Rudy Gobert’s box-out on Kevon Looney wasn’t strong enough, allowing Looney to tap the ball to an open area of the floor where Wiggins corralled it. A full four seconds ticked off the clock before the Wolves fouled Steph Curry, leaving them down four points with only 6.1 seconds remaining after the future Hall-of-Famer drained a pair of free throws to effectively seal the game.
The loss was particularly frustrating given the Wolves’ impressive second-half performance. After a disastrous first quarter that saw them fall behind 34-12, Minnesota outscored Golden State in each of the remaining periods. Donte DiVincenzo led the charge with 28 points, including several clutch baskets down the stretch, going toe-to-toe with Curry.
Defensive rebounding and transition defense continue to be areas of concern for the Wolves. In this game, most of the issues were confined to the first quarter — but they put the Wolves in a massive hole that they had to spend the final 36 minutes digging out of. The Warriors capitalized on Minnesota’s nine turnovers, converting them into an astounding 22 points. This efficiency in transition, combined with the Wolves’ inability to secure defensive rebounds, proved to be the difference in a tightly contested game.
Upcoming schedule only gets more difficult for the Timberwolves
Looking ahead, the Wolves face a challenging stretch of games, including back-to-back contests against the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. With the schedule only getting tougher, Minnesota must address their late-game execution and defensive intensity to stay competitive in the Western Conference playoff race.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Wolves’ loss to the Warriors, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Chris Finch’s role in the team’s slow starts
• Naz Reid’s strong performance off the bench
• The impact of Donte DiVincenzo’s aggressive play style
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
I only get to write this column once per week, so while we’re still technically a game or two short of the halfway marker for most teams, I’m here with some second-quarter awards anyway!
These are honors for the second quarter and second quarter only; they aren’t predictive. Word count limitations mean I have no margin for a longer introduction. You get it.
Interior Defensive Player of the Quarter
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
When it comes to analyzing defense, it isn’t fair to lump wings and guards with bigs; it’s like comparing a sports car to a heavy-duty pickup truck when you can only buy one vehicle. Instead, I split Defensive Player of the Quarter into interior and perimeter editions.
My Interior Defensive Player of the Quarter won’t shock: it’s Victor Wembanyama. I could throw a bunch of advanced analytics at you to prove the case, but instead, I’d ask that you join me in prayer: Holy mother of basketballs, protect your children from the harm Wembanyama inflicts upon them.
Ok, fine, here’s one fun, if basic, number. In the season’s second quarter, Wemby had an outrageous 69 blocks. That’s 30 more than second-place Myles Turner, despite the fact that Turner played in three more games. Let’s not waste time here.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis In the latest Canis Pulsus survey, fans shared insights on the Timberwolves’ performances, highlighting strong opinions on Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert. (Canis Hoopus)
Opponent The Timberwolves faced a tough matchup against the Warriors, with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green playing pivotal roles. The game spotlighted key players like Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. (Canis Hoopus)
Roster Anthony Edwards expressed concerns about the Timberwolves’ starting lineup, citing a lack of energy and urging for changes to improve performance. (Bleacher Report)
Trade As the trade deadline approaches, the Timberwolves are evaluating their trade targets, balancing dream acquisitions against realistic options to bolster their roster. (Bleacher Report)
Nick Richards Traded to Phoenix Suns: Fantasy Basketball Impact and Analysis
Jan 12, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns have acquired center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade that sent shockwaves through the NBA. While not a blockbuster deal, this move has significant implications for fantasy basketball managers.
In exchange for Richards, the Hornets received Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, while the Suns also got a second-round pick in return. At first glance, it might seem like the Suns got a steal, but let’s take a closer look at what this means for Richards’ fantasy value.
Richards has been averaging 21 minutes per game this season, putting up 9 points and 7.5 rebounds with 1.2 blocks. These numbers have him ranked 205th in category leagues, which is far from impressive. However, the change of scenery could potentially boost his value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
Timberwolves survive flat performance over depleted Hawks behind the bigs: Randle, Rudy, and Naz The Minnesota Timberwolves barely eked out a win over an Atlanta Hawks team missing multiple starters, including Trae Young. Despite an overall flat performance, Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Julius Randle did enough to will the Wolves to victory.
Minnesota Timberwolves offense has been GREAT lately + impressive win over Nuggets The Minnesota Timberwolves offense has been legitimately great since the start of January. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down what’s been most impressive, including the caliber of defenses that they’ve done it against. Also, discussing a dominant win over the Denver Nuggets.
Evaluating the Timberwolves rotation post-DiVincenzo injury + early NBA Trade Deadline preview Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) is joined by Andrew Dukowitz (@dukeMN) to discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves’ rotation since the Donte DiVincenzo injury, including how long DiVincenzo might be out, plus, an early trade deadline preview.
