Timberwolves Roundup: Jimmy Butler’s return, playoff time?
By Ben Beecken
This week’s Timberwolves roundup focuses on Jimmy Butler‘s return to the lineup on Friday, plus the chances that the Wolves will punch their ticket to the playoffs in the coming days.
While there was never officially a timetable set for Jimmy Butler’s return from knee surgery following a meniscus injury suffered back at the end of February, various reports pegged a realistic timeline at something between four and six weeks.
Butler returned on Friday night in Los Angeles, exactly six weeks to the day of the injury. The Wolves went 8-9 in his absence, slipping from the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference to hovering around the eighth and final slot upon Butler’s return.
After losing to Denver on Thursday and beating the Lakers 24 hours later, the Wolves find themselves clinging to the No. 8 spot in the West. Four teams that were ever so slightly in front of Minnesota in the standings all played on Saturday and faced teams ahead of them in the standings, but all four managed to win. Instead of jumping from No. 8 to as high as No. 5, the Wolves stayed put while remaining idle over the weekend.
Now, with to games to play for the Timberwolves, there’s one simple way to get into the playoffs: win them both. Easier said than done, of course. The Wolves have lost to Memphis, their opponent on Monday, twice already this year. Of course, Memphis is one of the worst two or three teams in the NBA, so there’s no reason the Wolves should drop all three games to the Grizzlies, but it clearly won’t be a walk in the park.
On Wednesday, the Nuggets visit Target Center. Denver dropped their first two games against the Wolves this season but won in the Mile High City on Thursday. There remains a scenario for Minnesota that includes them missing the playoffs even if they win on Monday simply by losing to Denver on Wednesday.
For all of the scenarios, as well as the most likely ones, check out our own Trey Flynn’s primer.
In Butler’s return on Friday, his coach was pleased with the All-Star’s return, despite some obvious early rust, noted here by your’s truly in the game wrap.
"“I was pleasantly surprised at how well he played,” Thibodeau said. “Usually when a guy is out that amount of time, there is going to be some rust. But I thought his timing was terrific. His free throw shooting was not typical of who he is, but overall very good and he was chomping at the bit to go in and that is a good sign also.”"
Also, Thibs’ comments on the playoff dog-fight.
"“From four to 10, you win one game and you feel like you got a shot at being in a good spot,” said Thibodeau, whose team overcame a 12-point second-quarter deficit. “And you lose a game and you feel like you could be out. I don’t want our guys to get lost. Just understand play as hard as you can on every play.“This is a great experience for our guys. I like the position we are in. We are going home and we got to be ready when we go home.”"
We’ll be back with more coverage of the playoff race on Monday, as well as a preview of the evening’s game against Memphis.
Next: Possible playoff opponents for the Timberwolves
Third time’s the charm, right?