There are losses, and there are bad losses. Then, there are losses so bad that you want to completely erase any memory of them from your mind. The latter is unfortunately the type of loss the Minnesota Timberwolves suffered on Sunday afternoon.
Taking on the Portland Trail Blazers for a 2:30 PM matinee, the game had all the makings of a Timberwolves blowout victory. A total of eight players were listed as out on Portland’s injury report, and their starting lineup resembled that of a G-League roster.
With the Blazers recently shutting down Damian Lillard for the remainder of the season, it appeared they did not have much interest in competing over the next week of action. This was the easiest game Minnesota had left on their schedule.
The Timberwolves looked lethargic against an inferior opponent once again.
And yet, despite a myriad of factors working in their favor, the Timberwolves failed to assert their dominance and looked unserious against a group of players that had no business being on the same floor as them. After taking a 12-point lead late in the third quarter, the Wolves’ undisciplined play continued to bite them and allowed the Blazers back into the game.
Minnesota’s 18 turnovers were one of the biggest factors in allowing Portland to hang around until the final minutes. “We have to stop arguing the certain little things that are carrying over to two and three plays,” said Mike Conley. “Sometimes we get caught up in that, and that allows teams to stay in the game.”
The collapse marked the Timberwolves’ 10th of the season to the teams with the five worst records in the NBA — Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Houston, and Detroit. The fact that Minnesota has left so many wins on the table by playing down to their competition continues to be concerning. However, there was an even more cringe-worthy aspect to their loss on Sunday.
The loss was one of the most embarrassing in Timberwolves history.
At tipoff, the Wolves were favored to win the game by 19.5 points. When Portland emerged with the victory, it became the largest point spread upset in the NBA since 1995, when the metric first began being tracked.
That number alone puts this Timberwolves loss in the conversation for worst loss by any team in the last three decades. If that were not bad enough, the Blazers’ win also increased the separation between Minnesota and the teams directly above them at a time where the Wolves desperately needed a win to keep their top-six hopes alive.
With a play-in bid now likely, Minnesota has to focus on not overlooking their opponents and remember that another stumble over these next three games could lead to them missing the playoffs entirely. This team still has a chance to do something special in the postseason, but limping to the finish line will dash those dreams in a hurry.