Timberwolves Wrap: Wolves drop season opener to Spurs

Although the Minnesota Timberwolves showed flashes of why fans are so excited about this team, the game ended with a familiar result.

With the first official game of the new season in the books, the Minnesota Timberwolves couldn’t pull out a close one on the road against a well-coached San Antonio Spurs team.

Headed into the game the Timberwolves knew they would be going against a Spurs team without their star, Kawhi Leonard, who was out due to injury. However, despite losing Leonard it was easy to see why the Spurs are a model of consistency in the NBA.

In a game that was close for most of the contest, it just felt like the Spurs never lost control of the flow throughout. There were a few times where the Timberwolves took a small lead but it was only for brief moments and the Spurs would regain it back immediately.

Despite the loss, there were plenty of things that Timberwolves fans should be excited about going forward.

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Andrew Wiggins looked like an elite scorer on national television with a game-high 26 point performance. The best part was he was consistent from deep as well, shooting and making four of six 3-pointers in the game.

Once again the bench seemed to look better than last year.

The Timberwolves also kept it close the whole game and never let the game slip from within reach until the very end. Keep in mind that the Spurs had one of the best home court records last year, and yet, we made it a game.

At one point in the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves took a lead with heavy momentum before the Spurs closed the game out on a 16-7 run.

All in all, there were a few things that fans should be very positive about, this team will take time to mesh it won’t happen overnight.

Tweet of the night

Key Takeaways

• The number one takeaway is that it will take time for this team to work the way we all expect it too. The bottom line is that the Timberwolves made a lot of roster changes this offseason and it will take time for these guys to find a rhythm on the court. Be patient.
• Rebounding and interior defense need to improve. There were too many times where opposing players either got an easy bucket in the lane or an offensive rebound due to better positioning than our big men.
• Wiggins looked legit. He’s going to earn that max contract and silence his doubters.
• Of the newcomers, Jamal Crawford had arguably the best game of the bunch. Jimmy Butler looked impressive as well, but Crawford came up with big baskets and plays in order to keep the Wolves in it late.
• Thibodeau decided to leave Tyus Jones on the court in the final minutes of a close game on the road vs playing Jeff Teague. Many questioned the decision and in the end, it didn’t look like it was the right call.

Player of the game

Andrew Wiggins: 26 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist.

Wiggins looked like the guy who wasn’t afraid to make the big shots. There were a few times where the game could have gotten out of hand if it weren’t for the timely heroics of Maple Jordan.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves: Highest hopes and biggest fears

Notable box score lines

Karl-Anthony Towns: 18 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist

Jimmy Butler: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Jamal Crawford: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists

Jeff Teague: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists