Minnesota Timberwolves: Another poor preseason effort from the Wolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves fell to 1-3 in the preseason with their second-straight loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, despite 33 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

While off-the-court matters continue to be messy, things aren’t any better on the hardwood, either.

The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped to 1-3 in the preseason with their second loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in 48 hours, this time in Ames, Iowa in what was technically a home game for the Wolves.

The game was not televised, so you’re about to read our best breakdown of the box score and comments from other folks that cover the team.

Karl-Anthony Towns had another great game, putting up 33 points (11-19 FG, 2-3 3P, 9-10 FT) and grabbing 12 rebounds in just 28 minutes. He was the only starter to score more than 10 points and one of only five Wolves overall to hit double-digits out of the 11 players that saw the floor.

Derrick Rose sat out to rest, which gave rookie first-round draft pick Josh Okogie the opportunity to start at shooting guard. He shot just 1-of-7 from the floor but grabbed eight rebounds and dished out three assists in 25 minutes.

Here’s what Okogie had to say about his performance, from David Naylor at Zone Coverage:

"“My focus was just trying to make sure I focus on my matchup and try to defensive rebound, and I think I was able to get a couple stops,” Okogie said after the game. “I think we were great defensively during certain stretches. I just tried to bring energy and get as many stops as possible.”"

It’s good to see Okogie focused so intently on playing solid defense; outside of it being an obviously important part of his role, it also matches up with what Tom Thibodeau will need to see and hear to allow the rookie on the court for regular minutes early in the season.

Additionally, it’s important to note that while the Wolves have looked like a mess, things will only get more jumbled if and when a trade centered around Jimmy Butler goes down. The roster will be shuffled with Gorgui Dieng almost certainly being traded and a new wing player to take Butler’s spot will inevitably be a big part of said trade as well.

Jeff Teague, who has reportedly been texting regularly with Butler, recognizes the chemistry issues and acknowledged them to the media.

Things aren’t about to get any easier for the Wolves. Here’s hoping that Towns can keep his head on straight and keep dominating. If he makes strides on the defensive end of the floor as well, then his rising tide should, eventually, lift all ships.

If Towns indeed transitions from star to superstar, then this team, given modest improvements from Andrew Wiggins (yes, we’ve said that for four years straight, but we can hope) and contributions from the rookies, could still contend for a playoff spot.

But for now, Thibodeau needs to focus on getting his own house in order, as Pat Riley would say.