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Minnesota Timberwolves 7 most heartbreaking moments of the year

By Brendan Hedtke

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 25: Head Coach, Ryan Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on November 25, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 25: Head Coach, Ryan Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on November 25, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 30: Jordan Bell #7 of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for a portrait during Media Day on September 30, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Untucked jersey incident

The matchup with Oklahoma City on December 6th may be the craziest Wolves game in recent memory.

The game had remained tight throughout the night and the Wolves were up by two points after a Karl-Anthony Towns dunk with 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter. After a couple of missed shots from the Thunder and a flurry of missed free throws from the Timberwolves, Minnesota led 121-119 with one second remaining.

This is where it gets interesting.

Towns had just missed the first of two free throws after being fouled by Chris Paul. Then, Jordan Bell entered the game for Shabazz Napier for defensive purposes.

The problem was Bell’s jersey was not tucked in, which by rule is a delay of game violation. This rule is one that is not always enforced and referees tend to allow some time for players to tuck in their jerseys.

However, Chris Paul notified referee Scott Foster that Bell’s jersey was not tucked in. Now, typically receiving a delay of game penalty is not a big deal as the first delay of game penalty results in a warning. But, if it is the second delay of game penalty, the result is a technical and the opposing team shoots one free throw.

In this case it was the second delay of game for the Wolves as the first came with 41 seconds remaining in the third quarter as Towns struggled to take a wrap off his knee before checking into the game.

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Paul knew that Minnesota would be given a technical if the delay of game was called, which is why he alerted Foster of the violation. Danilo Gallinari made the technical free throw to pull the Thunder within one point. Towns went on to make the second free throw and put the Wolves back up by two. This seemed like a pretty comfortable lead, considering Oklahoma City had to go the length of the floor in 1.1 seconds to score.

And they did just that.

Steven Adams went from basketball player to NFL quarterback and threw a full court pass to Dennis Schröder who made the shot to tie the game as time expired.

The Thunder went on to win in overtime 139-127. Minnesota was completely shell-shocked and did not put up much of a fight in the overtime period.

It is easy to blame Chris Paul for the loss, but unfortunately rules are rules. The Wolves had plenty of chances to put the game away, but missed free throws at the end of the game blew their chances to put the game out of reach.

That heartbreaking loss helped send the Wolves in the tailspin that they’re still trying to recover from.

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