MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves’ night began with a frustrating series of missed shots from Anthony Edwards, along with his teammates, that clanked off the rim repeatedly. The home crowd remained on their feet for the first 4:27 of the game until the Timberwolves finally managed to get on the scoreboard, prompting a collective sigh of relief as they settled back into their seats.
This matchup against one of the NBA’s favored teams carried a buzz that had been dampened, much like the Timberwolves’ inconsistent performance so far this season after their impressive run to the Western Conference finals in the previous spring. Despite a spirited comeback that saw them erase a 24-point deficit to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, their initial sluggishness cost them dearly in a narrow 116-115 loss to the Golden State Warriors. This match is particularly significant as both teams vie for vital playoff positions in a tight bracket of eight teams currently within three games of each other, spanning from fifth to twelfth place.
When Edwards was queried about the areas that need improvement for the Wolves moving forward, his response was immediate. “It comes down to two things: Boxing out and how we start the games,” he stated emphatically. “Our starting five needs to bring more energy; it’s always the second unit that lifts us.” Although the Wolves rank ninth in the league for average point differential in the first quarter, their start against the struggling Warriors was not an isolated incident.
Significantly revealing at this junction of the season is the Wolves’ rebounding differential, which is among the worst in the league during the first quarter. While they rank 14th overall for the entire game, the first quarter statistics indicate a concerning trend. Edwards emphasized that boxing out should be a collective mindset, stating, “We need to take pride in that aspect. It’s been highlighted in film sessions constantly, but it remains one of our weaknesses. Our boxing out isn’t tough enough.”
The troubles on the boards are exacerbated by Rudy Gobert, who, despite being seven-foot-one and usually making an effort to box out, has shown difficulty in consistently snagging contested rebounds. Coach Chris Finch remarked, “Rudy needs to focus on going after the ball instead of engaging in too much hand-to-hand combat, which can often tie him up.” Gobert acknowledged this critique by noting, “Rebounding involves a level of strategy. It’s about being attuned to the situation and the game’s rhythm. When I overthink it, my timing can be off.”
The recent addition of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the rotation, coming after the trade of franchise stalwart Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, has introduced some challenges. While Randle and the Timberwolves work on developing chemistry, DiVincenzo’s promotion to the starting lineup has injected newfound energy into the team. He recently scored a season-high 28 points against the Warriors, showcasing a level of play that highlights the confidence required by the starting unit, which Edwards had pointed out was lacking.
“DiVincenzo is playing exceptionally well,” Edwards stated. “He’s showing the kind of confidence we saw from him in last year’s playoffs. His ability to crash the boards and create plays is significant for us.” Their productive collaboration during the second half against the Warriors lifted the spirits in the locker room, overshadowing the disappointing start and close loss.
DiVincenzo added, “What’s most rewarding is the energy and confidence we create together. It’s mutual, and I think we’re finding our rhythm as a team now, but we need to build on this momentum moving forward.”
