The Minnesota Timberwolves once again fell behind by more than 20 points early in the game but fought back to make things interesting at the end.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have done it again.
The Wolves gave up 43 first-quarter points and trailed by 21 at halftime to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
On Monday, the Wolves gave up 43 first-quarter points and trailed by 20 at halftime to the Dallas Mavericks.
This time, the Wolves’ half-court defense was the culprit. Namely, slowing down Kristaps Porzingis was impossible early in teh game, and the offense simply couldn’t hold serve.
Then, D’Angelo Russell went down after only six minutes after apparently reinjuring his quadriceps, and the Wolves were down to just one point guard with Jordan McLaughlin inactive.
The Wolves were down 20 at halftime and only pushed to within 18 at the start of the fourth quarter. There were very few signs of life, until all of a sudden. Malik Beasley went off.
After scoring only three points in the first half and five in the third quarter, Beasley dropped 22 in the fourth quarter, including ripping down an offensive rebound and scoring in the final minute to pull the Wolves within three points.
But the defense couldn’t get a stop, and after a timeout, a contested 3-point attempt from Beasley clanged off the rim and the Wolves ultimately lost by five despite another furious comeback attempt.
Of course, falling behind by 21 after one quarter is not part of a winning recipe, and that’s what the coaching staff has to continue doing their best to eradicate from this team’s nightly agenda.
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Russell started but played only six minutes. He drained a pair of 3-point attempts in that time, however, and looked to be on his way to a big offensive performance before his quad injury flared up.
Jake Layman played only 12 minutes after receiving major run on Saturday. He was just 1-of-4 from the floor and grabbed only one rebound.
Ed Davis played five minutes and had two points and two rebounds with his bucket coming on one of patented, wild-looking offensive tip-ins.
Juancho Hernangomez finally got into a game after missing nearly a month following his COVID-19 diagnosis. He played nine fourth-quarter minutes and looked good for the most part, putting up five points and pulling down four rebounds. He hit a transition 3-pointer, too, which was a sight for sore eyes.
Up next for the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves fly home for a one-game homestand. On Wednesday, they’ll host the LA Clippers before heading back out on the road for another two-game trip.