The Minnesota Timberwolves have fumbled their last two games, putting them in a troublesome position with only three games remaining in the regular season. Friday night vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, the Timberwolves fell apart late in the third, which led to their demise.
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert blamed the Timberwolves’ loss on the Lakers’ Anthony Davis injury.
Gobert said the mess as AD went down was turning point:
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 1, 2023
"I had the ball in my hands and I couldve went and dunked it, but AD was laying there. So I was like, that’s too ruthless, I’ll just pass it out. After that it was just turnover after turnover. It was just a tough stretch."
Gobert may be correct, but that was not the only reason for the Timberwolves’ loss. The Wolves turned the ball over ten times in the second half, and the bench simply got outplayed and outscored.
At the same time, the Lakers took advantage of every opportunity to put points on the board. Minnesota Beach missed their 6th man in center Naz Reid, who suffered a broken wrist vs. the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid will undergo surgery on his fractured left wrist and will be sidelined for six weeks, sources tell ESPN. Reid's had his best NBA season -- 11.5 points on 54 percent shooting and 4.9 rebounds. He'll be a free agent this summer.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 31, 2023
Minnesota bench went 2 for 14 from 3-point range in the third quarter and was ultimately outscored 35-18 down the stretch. After the game, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch praised Lakers big man Anthony Davis on his stellar performance.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch on Anthony Davis: "He kicked our ass in every way possible."
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) April 1, 2023
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham: "It all starts with AD ... You've got to have that one pivotal force that can lead the charge."
In the wake of Superstar LeBron James’ return, Anthony Davis went off for 38 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocks. Compared to Minnesota Rudy Gobert, who finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Gobert may not be as talented as Davis, but he can still hang with the best. But it would be best to have all hands on deck when going up against two future Hall of Famers. Reid is expected to undergo surgery and miss up to six weeks. He could return by the end of the Western Conference semifinals or before the conference finals, but nothing is for sure.
Minnesota finished their home staycation win an embarrassing loss to the Lillardless Portland Trail Blazers. After suffering back-to-back losses, the 39-40 Timberwolves have collapsed to the 9th seed in the Western Conference. However, there is still a tiny window for the Wolves to make the playoffs. Minnesota has a 50% chance of making the postseason.
Wolves playoff chances fell from 71% pregame yesterday to 49% today, per FiveThirtyEight.
— Jack Borman (@jrborman13) April 3, 2023
MIN will make the Play-In, but are trending more towards the 9/10 game instead of 7/8.
If they win out, they'll likely be the 8. If they win out w/ LAL losses @ LAC + vs PHX they'll be 7. https://t.co/EsxCVTf5yd pic.twitter.com/eNAaBnhb76
The Timberwolves kick off their road trip tonight vs. emerging All-Star Mikal Bridges and the Brooklyn Nets. Then they travel to San Antonio to play the young but well-coached Spurs. Then, finally, they return home to their season finale vs. Brandon Ingram and the New Orlean Pelicans.
let's get back on track.
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 4, 2023
Wolves at Nets
6:30 PM CT, Barclays Center
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The odds are stacked against the Timberwolves, but this team has overcome adversity all season. When BIG KAT went down, everybody stepped up to save the season. He returned, and Anthony Edwards went down, then KAT led the way. Now one of their best complimentary players, Naz Reid, is out, and the Timberwolves will have to dig deep to replace what he brings to the team.
Here is when you find out who wants it more, who is willing to leave it all on the court for the team’s sake. Wolves fans are hungry and will be devastated if the franchise misses out on the chance to capture an NBA Championship. Three to go.