When the Minnesota Timberwolves stepped onto the basketball court for their fifth game of the season, and fourth game at Target Center, there was no giddiness among the players, nor bounce to their step. This was a team that was expected to do better this season. Yet, the Timberwolves’ early home-court advantage vanished after a sound defeat at the hands of the surprisingly competitive San Antonio Spurs on Monday, October 24, by a score of 115-106.
The Timberwolves fell to a record of 1-2 at home. And with the loss, doubt began to creep in over the team’s ability to synch up everyone on the roster to make a difference this season.
The Timberwolves needed some good news. The team appeared to slip in their progress made so far in the young season, haplessly standing by as the Spurs seemed to shoot and score at will. For the Timberwolves, and particularly shooting guard Anthony Edwards, shots simply did not fall. The team shot a miserable 25.8 percent from three-point range. The Spurs passed better, had a better transition game, created more turnovers, and even had more points in the paint.
That was enough to incense Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch to claim that the team ‘got punked.‘
Sleep on it
The Minnesota Timberwolves crept out of Target Center but lept into the fray in this one. It was great to see Anthony Edwards take three-point shots, particularly as they found their mark. In fact, Ant-Man hit on five of seven three-point shots, and it was that fearless approach to the rematch that set the tone for the team as a whole.
The Timberwolves bench needed a similar type of pick-me-up player, and backup guard Jaylen Nowell showed up huge. In 22 minutes, Nowell scored 23 points and pulled in four rebounds. In fact, Jaylen Nowell has been an incredible surprise this season for the team:
And he has never failed to come into the game off the bench and put up double-digit points.
The Timberwolves team takes a huge step forward
The Timberwolves played a much better team defense in this one. Despite getting out-rebounded, the Timberwolves were very impressive at creating turnovers (9 steals), blocking shots (6 blocks), and harassing Spurs shooters well enough to keep their shooting percentage well below their accuracy from the first game.
Best of all, the Timberwolves scored points in the paint, and in this game, it was the Timberwolves with the better assists. Both PG D’Angelo Russell (9 assists) and Karl-Anthony Towns (7 assists) continue to draw defenders, and were savvy passers, placing the ball into the hands of the open shooter again and again.
It shouldn’t be long before the Timberwolves make a serious offer to extend Jaylen Nowell at this pace. Early reports indicate that Nowell may opt out of any extension, and instead enter NBA Free Agency at the end of this season.
Right now, the Timberwolves appear to be taking a solid step forward. Now, the Timberwolves must prepare for a frustrated and desperate LA Lakers who are 0-3 and on the ropes in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets. Can the Minnesota Timberwolves win two games this season?
Stay tuned . . .