Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves fans have plenty to be thankful for in 2019-20

By Ian Kasdan

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 11: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves smiles before the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 11, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 11: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves smiles before the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 11, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrew Wiggins
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 27: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

As the Minnesota Timberwolves approach Thanksgiving, they currently sit No. 8 in the Western Conference. Wolves fans have many reasons to give thanks as they envision a promising future.

The pleasant surprise of the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ start to the 2019-20 campaign was anything but certain as they entered halftime in their home opener against the Miami Heat.

Without newly-acquired Jimmy Butler and instead starting undrafted rookie Kendrick Nunn, the Miami Heat were expected by many to be over-matched against a Wolves squad coming off victories over the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets.

However, the Heat opened with an aggressive attack and ferocious defense that required a resilient response from the Wolves if they were to secure a victory on that chilly October night.

Unfortunately for the Wolves, Andrew Wiggins had yet to make his presence known.

Following an array of turnovers and a lethargic energy that was reminiscent of his previous seasons, Wiggins was benched in the second quarter by head coach Ryan Saunders. The message from Saunders was clear: if you won’t play with the energy we expect of you, someone else will.

After this noteworthy approach from Saunders, the 2014 first-overall pick responded. Scoring 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Wiggins iced the game with a trio of clutch 3-pointers, pulling the Wolves out of the clutches of defeat for the 116-109 victory.

Encapsulated in this victory is the story of the 2019-20 Wolves thus far. Through a team-wide camaraderie, leadership from Saunders and president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, and a resurgent season from Wiggins, this group of unlikely contributors has banded together around their franchise cornerstone, Karl-Anthony Towns, to surprise the NBA world in their pursuit of a playoff spot.

While Rosas and company continue exploring how to best supplement a modern age roster around Towns for future seasons, Wolves fans have plenty of reasons for gratitude this Thanksgiving.

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