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The Minnesota Timberwolves’ one major area of regression on offense this season is...
Timberwolves’ Offensive Struggles: The Corner Three Conundrum
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ offense has been a point of concern once again this season, but it’s not for the reasons you might expect. While turnovers continue to plague the team, there’s another area where they’ve regressed significantly from last year: corner three-point shooting.
Last season, the Timberwolves were a force to be reckoned with from the corners, shooting 41.3% and ranking fifth in the NBA. Fast forward to this year, and they’ve plummeted to 26th in the league, hitting just 36.1% of their corner threes.
Who Are the Primary Culprits of the Dip in Percentage?
The Julius Randle acquisition has played a significant role in the decline from the corners. While Randle has improved his overall three-point shooting to 35% this season, his corner three performance has been abysmal at 21.1% - a career-worst. Naz Reid, who was lights out from the corners last year at 41%, has also seen a dip to 34.5%. Jaden McDaniels’ regression from 36% to 29% on corner threes has further compounded the issue.
This decline in corner-three efficiency isn’t just about the numbers; it’s affecting the entire offensive scheme. The Timberwolves’ offense needs these corner shooters to create space and keep defenses honest. When players like Randle and Alexander-Walker aren’t hitting their shots, it allows opponents to further clog the paint, making life difficult for drivers and roll men alike.
The silver lining is that the Timberwolves are still excelling in other areas of three-point shooting. They rank fifth in the league in overall three-point percentage at 38.2%, largely due to their proficiency on above-the-break threes. Players like Mike Conley (41.5% from the corners) continue to provide much-needed spacing.
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves will need to address this corner-three issue if they want to elevate their offense to the next level. Whether it’s through further adjusting player rotations or potentially exploring trade options, finding a solution to their corner three woes could be the key to unlocking their full offensive potential.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ offensive strategies, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• NBA Power Rankings: Timberwolves climb to 9th
• Preview of tonight’s Timberwolves vs. Warriors game
• Analysis of the Timberwolves’ clutch game performance
Have potential contenders figured out the Celtics?
Jan 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) fouls Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half at TD Garden. | Paul Rutherford/Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
It’s always risky, doubting the Celtics. Not for Celtics fans, but for the rest of us. On Friday night, at home, Boston fans booed their team as they let the Kings take an uncontested rebound and take (then make) the same 3-point attempt. The Celtics lost, recording their 11th of the season. That’s only four games more than this time last year.
Going back, Boston recorded most of their losses last season in the winter stretch leading up to All-Star Weekend, the same stretch they’re in now. I would chalk a lot of those losses up to fatigue and deft competition who could sense the Celtics easing up on the gas, if briefly. The Nuggets, Bucks, Cavaliers and (then) white hot Pacers took advantage of those minor slumps. The losses now, though coming this season within the same stretch with the same fatigue taking a portion of the toll, have to do more with opponents figuring out how the Celtics tick.
This season, the Celtics are a known quality. Their brand of basketball last year overwhelmed the majority of their opponents, teams not built to withstand a barrage of incessant 3-point shooting backed by a quick and smothering defence without a moment to recalibrate or catch their breath. Most teams spent entire games, and all their energy, trying to chase Boston off the line. This season the Celtics have slipped to a 7th overall (from 3rd) defensive rating, and are currently 3rd overall (from 1st) in offence — teams have figured them out.
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
Biz TNT has removed the Timberwolves from its national TV schedule, opting to broadcast the Rockets vs. Grizzlies instead. This decision highlights shifting priorities in network programming. (Sports Illustrated)
Trade Evaluating the Timberwolves’ trade assets, the question of untouchables arises as the NBA trade deadline approaches. Who’s really off-limits? Find out as the deadline looms. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Timberwolves host the Warriors tonight at 9:30 PM ET. Read the preview. (NBA)
Trades Here’s the latest on the NBA trade deadline and rumblings around the league. (The Athletic)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
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