The Minnesota Timberwolves have been one of the better teams in the Western Conference this season, as their 49-22 record is third-best in the conference.
And they're just a game back from the top-seeded Denver Nuggets with 11 games remaining in the regular season. This season is easily the Wolves' best title opportunity in what seems like ages and they have both the starpower and role players to make a deep playoff push.
However, Wolves coach Chris Finch will have to trot out the best lineups, which could spell doom for several of the Wolves' players. Let's take a look at who could be impacted.
4. Nickel Alexander-Walker
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been an absolute menace on defense. So many times we've seen players screen away from Jaden McDaniels, only to be met with an equal defensive force in NAW.
He's also really good at pushing the pace, although it may go unnoticed on occasion.
For example, on the infamous Anthony Edwards dunk on John Collins, Alexander-Walker was the one who got the steal and kicked it out to Edwards on the break in transition.
NAW's shooting has been hot and cold, although it's much more reliable than it was at the onset of his NBA playing days. The 25-year-old made 33 percent of his threes during his days as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans and has made 38.2 percent of his threes this season on 3.9 attempts.
However, his three isn't quite as automatic as one would like, as he went 0-for-6 from deep in Minnesota's recent two games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets. When his three ball isn't falling, it kills momentum and disrupts his flow.
In the postseason, that could lead to less minutes.