When a team loses multiple games in a row like the Timberwolves have — in extremely discouraging fashion, specifically — there's going to be some panic from the fans. That's just how things go. And panic from fans is totally fine. If anything, it means they're bought in.
But panic from the team's coach is not good. So when Chris Finch says things like, "It feels like we're a million miles away from where we were a week ago, but we're not," like he did after the nasty loss to the Clippers earlier this week, it might be irritating for fans to hear, but it's the right approach for a coach to take.
Chris Finch: “It feels like we’re a million miles away from where we were a week ago, but we’re not
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) March 12, 2026
The NBA season is long. No one is great for 82 games. Every team in the Wolves' ilk — Lakers, Rockets, Nuggets — have all experienced the exact same mini-panics throughout the season, but have self-corrected and gotten back on track not long after. If the team's head coach isn't the voice of reason, then who would be?
Wolves have real concerns, but the sky is not falling
I won't gaslight you into thinking that everything is peachy right now in Wolves land, because there are legitamate reasons for concern. Julius Randle is totally checked out, no one can make a 3-pointer right now, and the Wolves have somehow fallen to within one game of the play-in because the Suns have the basketball gods on their side this year, apparently.
But it's also unlikely that the Wolves have simply forgotten how to shoot or, after two of the best seasons in franchise history, are suddenly going to implode because of a rough stretch in March. When Finch says the team isn't that far away from the team they were two weeks ago, he's right. This team was 8-1 and scorching hot just over a week ago. The ebbs and flows of the NBA season are a roller coaster; it's important to remember the highs when you feel the lows and vice versa.
Say what you will about Chris Finch's actual coaching in this three-game stretch. But the Wolves' head coach hitting the panic button and telling everyone that this team actually sucks and is doomed in the postseason would not be productive for anyone.
Plus, with a winnable game against the Warriors tonight (and then games against OKC, Phoenix, and Boston in the following week) there are plenty of upcoming opportunities to swing the pendulum back in the right direction. For now... Breathe.