Facing one of the few teams ahead of them in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves found themselves trailing the San Antonio Spurs by 13 points at halftime. In the first 24 minutes, Minnesota had miserable shooting splits of 38.1/18.8/50.0.
It was a tale of two halves, as Minnesota secured a 104-103 victory over the Spurs as Anthony Edwards drove by Victor Wembanyama and banked in a floater over Luke Kornet for the game-winning points with 17 seconds remaining. Over the final 24 minutes, the Timberwolves shot 47.9 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Anthony Edwards clutch isolation driving layup on Victor Wembanyama WOW pic.twitter.com/Q07htKD577
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) January 12, 2026
That’s been a theme for the Wolves for much of the season. They have performed better in the second half.
The Timberwolves have been stepping it up in the second half
Sunday’s win improved the Timberwolves to 26-14. Their next game is on the road in Milwaukee against the Bucks on Tuesday. Once that contest is complete, Minnesota will officially be at the halfway point of the regular season.
With their regular season being almost 50 percent of the way complete, the Timberwolves are third in the NBA with an 8.8 net rating in the second half (trailing only the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder). They place fifth in offensive rating (119.5) and third in defensive rating (110.8).
Compare that to the first 24 minutes of games for Minnesota, and there is a stark difference. The Wolves are fairly mediocre, placing 15th in net rating (0.8), 15th in offensive rating (114.6), and 14th in defensive rating (113.8).
In the first half, the Timberwolves have shooting splits of 46.8/36.4/74.4. Those numbers increase across the board to 49.6/37.7/76.1 in the second.
Sunday marked the second time in their last three games that Minnesota earned a victory after trailing at the half. On January 8, they were down four points at halftime to the Cleveland Cavaliers before winning by the final margin of 131-122.
One guy who definitely sees improvement in the second half when compared to the first is their star player, Anthony Edwards. The 24-year-old is averaging 15.2 points while shooting 52.8% from the field and 46.2% from 3-point distance (13.4, 46.4%, 37.7% respectively in the first half).
One of the biggest differences between a player from the first to the second half comes from Jaden McDaniels and his 3-point accuracy. In the first half, the 25-year-old has made 20 of 56 3-point tries (35.7%). In the second half? McDaniels is 29-66 from deep (43.9%).
Ultimately, being able to mount comebacks will make the Wolves a difficult out in the playoffs.