NBA All-Star weekend has concluded, and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be back in action soon. Only two months of the season remain, and the Wolves will have some work to do in order to finish in the top six of the stacked Western Conference standings.
Minnesota is currently in a good spot, and they are playing some of the best basketball of their season. Going into All-Star break, they won nine of their previous 13 games, defeating the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder in their final game before the break.
There are several notable details that will be big determining factors in whether or not the Timberwolves ultimately end up where the fanbase wants them by season's end or not. Here, we will break down several of the most important ones.
Timberwolves injury updates
Heading into Minnesota's final contest before All-Star break, this is what their injury report looked like.
OUT
Conley - Right Index Finger Sprain
DiVincenzo - Left Great Toe Sprain
J. Edwards - Two-Way
Gobert - Low Back Spasms
Randle - Right Groin Strain
We can expect progress to be made when it comes to several of these ailments by the time play resumes. Mike Conley will likely be at least close to returning from his finger sprain, and it feels unlikely that Rudy Gobert's back spasms become a long-term thing.
As for Julius Randle, he is set to be re-evaluated any day now, and a report on his progress will be issued by Timberwolves PR. Donte DiVincenzo is expected to return to action by the end of February or early March.
Timberwolves' remaining games and strength of schedule
The Timberwolves have 26 games remaining on their schedule after All-Star break. And for Wolves fans, the best news is that they will have the easiest remaining schedule of any team in the NBA during this stretch.
Minnesota will play at least two games against five of the teams with the worst records in the league after the break. They still have two contests remaining against the New Orleans Pelicans, three against the Utah Jazz, one against the Charlotte Hornets, two against the Brooklyn Nets, two against the Philadelphia 76ers, and one against the San Antonio Spurs.
Best and worst case scenarios for the season
The Timberwolves' roster will be the same post All-Star break as it was pre All-Star break, with no changes being made by the front office at the trade deadline. With the easiest remaining strength of schedule in front of them, it is pretty clear that a finish in the top four of the standings and home court for the playoffs is still well within reach. Minnesota is only 3.5 games behind the Houston Rockets for the fourth seed.
As for the worst-case scenario, the competition is still tough in the West, regardless of how many "easy" games you have left. There is always the chance the Wolves could fall out of the playoff picture, and end up in the lottery without a pick of their own (even though the Detroit Pistons' pick is likely to convey).