Given the current state of the Minnesota Timberwolves, there should only be one thing on their mind: Getting healthy.
The Wolves were pretty lucky this season; their core players missed minimal time with injuries compared to other teams. Unfortunately, that luck has run out. Now, with the season dwindling, the Wolves are more injured than ever. Their top priority needs to be getting everyone as healthy as possible for the postseason, because when they're healthy, they have a chance against anyone.
Three of the Timberwolves' best scorers are hobbled going into the playoffs
Anthony Edwards is obviously the biggest domino. He's dealing with a lingering knee injury, and if he can't suit up in the playoffs, frankly, the Wolves are as good as done. The Wolves' offense moves as he moves, and their half-court offense has been nonexistent without him. When the game slows down in the playoffs, you need guys like him to hit some bail-me-out shots.
Jaden McDaniels is similarly dealing with a knee injury, and while he isn't the scorer Anthony Edwards is, he's almost just as important. He's the best point-of-attack defender on the team, and without him, the Wolves struggle mightily at slowing down opposing stars. He's also taken a leap offensively this year, where teams can no longer hide their worst defender on him.
Naz Reid is a slightly different case. He hasn't missed real time, but he's dealing with a shoulder injury, and nobody knows truly how bad it is. He's playing through the pain, but it's clearly affecting him. His numbers have dropped dramatically since suffering the injury, and he hasn't been close to the Sixth Man of the Year caliber player the Wolves have needed since the incident.
A healthy Timberwolves team has the pieces to beat anyone
If the Wolves prioritize rest for the remaining games of the regular season for these guys, and they get them back healthy for the playoffs, another deep playoff run isn't out of the question. The Wolves have been playoff-risers the past two seasons, and that is largely in part to Anthony Edwards turning into a Superman variant in these series.
They have the defensive infrastructure. They have lots of quality role players. They have a battle-tested group, and they have an alpha that can take them as far as they want to go, but their biggest roadblock right now is a clean bill of health.
If they don't have that, their vacations could start earlier this year.