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Player grades from the Timberwolves’ loss to the Nuggets

By Dylan Jackson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 01: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards during the first quarter of the game at Target Center on January 1, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Wizards defeated the Timberwolves 130-109. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 01: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards during the first quarter of the game at Target Center on January 1, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Wizards defeated the Timberwolves 130-109. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves kept it close in their game against the Denver Nuggets, eventually losing by a healthy amount.

73. 109. 86. Final. 124

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been really bad the past few games, and seeing them be competitive with a Western Conference Finals team from last season was promising in itself. Without Karl-Anthony Towns, things have been undoubtedly rough.

The Timberwolves need to find a way to get in the win column again, and their upcoming schedule doesn’t exactly have any easy-wins (not that those exist in the NBA).

The Wolves go up against the Nuggets, Trail Blazers, Spurs (twice), and Grizzlies in their next five games.

Let’s get into the player grades.

A+. Malik Beasley was by far the Timberwolves’ best player against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. He was electric in his scoring and efficient in doing so. He finished with 25 points on 15 total shots, adding seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.. SG. Minnesota Timberwolves. MALIK BEASLEY

D-. Hernangomez at least had some bright spots tonight, such as a first half dunk and was able to score inside some. Still, the point remains that if he is unable to stretch the floor, he has no use for Minnesota, much less any NBA team.. PF. Minnesota Timberwolves. JUAN HERNANGOMEZ

C-. D’Angelo Russell had one of the worst halves of basketball since he joined the Timberwolves in February of last year. He was inefficient and simply stalling anything the Minnesota offense tried to do. Still, he had the best ten-minute stretch of basketball this season to start the third quarter, and really shined in the pick-and-roll game with Naz Reid. PG. Minnesota Timberwolves. D'ANGELO RUSSELL

Minnesota Timberwolves. NAZ REID. B+. Naz Reid was one of the bright spots for a Timberwolves team that took a tough loss to the Nuggets on Sunday night. He was effieicnt in scoring, was not afraid to pass out of the post, and as mentioned, played well as the roll-man alongside D’Angelo Russell.. C

B. Jarrett Culver was a plus defender as well as provided some nice inside scoring. His shot has not been there the past few games, but does enough to be a positive basketball player even without that.. SF. Minnesota Timberwolves. JARRETT CULVER

Edwards didn’t really have his impact felt in this game. He was good at attacking the rim, but just did not take many shots. He had more assists than usual, but his turnovers counteracted that, unfortunately. Still, he should be one of the players to watch in the Rookie of the Year race.. SG. Minnesota Timberwolves. ANTHONY EDWARDS. C+

Next. John Collins is a worthy trade target.. dark

The Timberwolves next game is in Denver on January 5th, 2021.

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