The Minnesota Timberwolves roster can do without more injuries. But you can’t always get what you want, can you? In fact, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been struggling mightily this entire 2022-23 NBA season because the team’s roster has been incredibly unreliable in terms of availability and durability.
This was the season when the Timberwolves roster was slated to unveil the remake of an NBA classic, the Twin Towers 2.0. A High Wall defense that was designed to allow the Timberwolves to dominate rebounds, and points in the paint, and force opponents to rely almost exclusively on perimeter shooting.
But the Timberwolves never really got that off the ground.
All-Star power forward/center Karl Anthony Towns has only played in 21 of 49 games so far this season. His teammate, All-Star center Rudy Gobert, has been a bit more dependable but has only played in 40 of 49 games so far this season, and now only competing in just nine of 12 games in January 2023:
Rudy Gobert didn't come back in to close the second half and he doesn't appear to be on the bench right now. Gobert was grabbing at the back of his knee before checking out of the game.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) January 15, 2023
The Timberwolves roster has been pushed to its limits. So far, that limit has been met with some impressive results, as the energetic young duo of Naz Reid and Luka Garza, while not elite, have impressed on both the offensive and defensive half of the basketball court. For example, the Timberwolves’ recent victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers showcased just how effective their young guns can play. Just how good was the Timberwolves’ defense?
The offense was loud and fun tonight. However, Minnesota's defense was the reason they won this game tonight:
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) January 15, 2023
D. Mitchell:
• 14 points
• 5/16 (31%) field goal
• 2/9 (22%) three point
The Cavs as a team only shot 28.6% from deep as well. Major credit to Jaden McDaniels.
The Timberwolves continue to struggle at sustaining any sort of positive momentum this season. Ultimately, this team will need to break through and start to string wins together against superior teams, or simply resign to the fact that this is not their season, rest their senior veterans, and ride the rest of the season with their younger and quite impressive players.
Of course, NBA rumors have been heating up recently, as the NBA Trade Deadline of February 9, 2023, is almost upon us. Names like Naz Reid and D’Angelo Russell have been frequently named as players who have drawn heightened interest from other NBA teams. If the Timberwolves pull the trigger on any trades that get just picks, we know that the team is resetting the board for a run next year. But if the team adds players to the Timberwolves roster as a result of a last-minute trade, then it’s all aboard for a sprint to the finish of the NBA season.
Which will it be? Stay tuned . . .