Road wins over the Clippers, Lakers and Kings have provided a confidence boost for the Timberwolves, according to a report published by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
“I think we have really good chemistry right now,” coach Chris Finch said. “I think we have great leadership, we have guys who really complement each other on the floor. I see it growing and growing — we just have to get some of the focus mistakes out, and then we can continue to get a little bit better.”
The Timberwolves are in contention for a top-six seed in the Western Conference, which would allow them to avoid the play-in tournament.
We have more on the Wolves:
- Anthony Edwards had been in a shooting slump since the All-Star break, as noted by Chris Hine of the Star Tribune earlier in the trip, but has shown signs of breaking out. He had 27 points, including two pivotal baskets, and eight assists against Sacramento. “A lot of it was Anthony stepping up at the right time,” Finch said after the win over the Kings.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been nearly as pivotal as Mike Conley to the team’s recent success, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes. Both players were acquired in a three-team blockbuster at last month’s deadline. Alexander-Walker, who has grabbed a spot on the second unit, supplied 16 points and five assists against Sacramento. “I had a lot of DNPs in Utah, so anytime I get multiple games with multiple minutes, for me to have an impact was everything I can ask for,” he said. He can be a restricted free agent after the season if Minnesota extends a qualifying offer.
- Jaylen Nowell has been sidelined for the last four games with a knee ailment. He’s averaging 10.9 points and 2.0 assists entering unrestricted free agency this summer. Alexander-Walker could cut into his playing time when he returns, but Nowell is confident he’ll get offers this summer, he told Hine. “Coming in as a second-rounder, people would tell me not a lot of second guys make it to their second contract,” Nowell said. “But I always knew deep down this is meant for me. This is what I’m supposed to do. I’m going to make sure this happens.”
Is beating LAC, LAL, and SAC really such an achievement?
2 playoff contenders on the road is a good start. If they just didn’t lose 2 to Det, 2 to Char, 2 to SA, and 1 to Hou earlier in the year they would be a top 3-4 seed right now
They split with the nuggets in Feb and have two wins on Memphis too. They are dangerous, but very inconsistent.
People would be creaming their drawers if the Kyrie Mavs just went 3-0 on a West coast road trip. Wolves are doing it without KAT. Now they have a legit PG, star SG, All NBA Defender SF, SloMo shooting 3s at a good clip, and Rudy has been averaging around 16/12 since teaming back with Conley.
So true Null
People have been kicking Minny all year for unfounded reasons. Little boring Imo
I still think the Timberwolves flat-out stink. At this point in the season most teams have shown their colors. Do we really see a 3 game hot streak turning into some miracle run?
You probly only know 2 of their players by name. Who gives a f what you think about them? Playing at or above .500 without a guy in KAT coming off an All NBA Season. How many teams “true colors” involve missing an All Nba guy for most of the season and their best players being 21 and 22yo. Show me a bunch of playoff teams being led by guys that age…
If I only know two of their players by name that’s not a good sign lol
Shaq thinks you’re right too! SHAQ even compares Antman to Jeremy Lin… will ANT lead to “Linsanity” or help turn around an awful franchise that has always had very poor ownership and management… so far, wonder-boss Connelly seems to mirror past management as the Wolves record and clubhouse culture is worse than last year… :(
Also still not a fan of the TWolves.
Very inconsistent, still not sold on the twin towers idea and think it’s so surprise they are getting wins when he’s injured and they can play Gobert as a 5, bring in a traditional 4 and give the keys to ANT.
Seems rumours of a KAT to NY trade. To me that makes so sense but what would is KAT to New Orleans.
Just an idea
KAT for Big Val, Garrett Temple, Dyson Daniel’s, Trey Murphy and 2 firsts.
NOLA
CJ Ingram Herb Zion KAT
Alvarado JRich Marshall Nance
Plus they have the lakers draft pick aswell
KAT give them the perfect floor spacer that’ll keep the paint wide open and make them really hard to defend against. Zion and KAT will have to improve defensive but it would be a huge amount of talent and solid depth that would have them right at the top of the West for years to come.
As for the wolves, straight away trade Big Val simply for a non guaranteed contract and maybe picks to free up money to Free Agency.
An example could be Big Val for Malik Beasley who’s deal isn’t guaranteed then with that money free try get Grant Williams.
Thus giving you a line up of
Conley ANT Murphy Williams Gobert
Daniel’s NAW Anderson McDaniels Reid
Think Goberts elite rim protection and rebounding allows you to be smaller at the forward spots. Your basically made a better version of what the Jazz once where with Ant instead of Spida. However in terms of a supporting cast Trey Murphy has huge potential, Grant Williams is perfect as a 3 and D guy. Conley you keep for the experience and playmaking. Daniel’s can develop behind him, Anderson and McDaniels are both solid versatile role players, NAW is technically off contract but he’s just playing the role of bucket getter off the bench can replace him with anyone. Then lastly Naz Reid, resign him as he offers something different to Gobert and gives you solid production.
Win win for both sides
If the Wolves trade to another team within their conference, they are going to ask for more than a couple first round picks because the other players in the trade would do nothing for them. I like the idea and fit of Kat on the pelicans though.
Your really underrating Trey Murphy.
Currently putting up 13-4-1 nearly shooting a 50-40-90. He’s young, pretty decent defensively, can finish above the rim, can space the floor, really nice guy and funny off the court.
If this move was to happen I could see him exploding to like 22-6-3 and winning most improved or something.
Dyson Daniel’s is also a really good prospect. 6’7, 19 years old point guard. Good defensively, improving shooting the ball, good playmaking and good IQ.
On top of that you create cap space for Grant Williams who I think would also have a huge improvement in terms of production.
Then you get back a couple first round picks.
It would be a real reset and build around ANT and Gobert. As I said a better and younger version of what the Jazz had in Spida and Gobert.
Two of the wins were great. Lebron was out with LAL though I think the wolves still would have won. But right before that streak, they were blowing up in the 4th Q. Threw away a few games.
I think the Celtics will be a real test.
Expect NOTHING from the Timberpuppies and you won’t be disappointed. It doesn’t matter who the team has for: Owner, GM, HC, Coaches, players; the players they draft, the trades they make, the free agents they sign, they have pretty much underachieved and stunk up the Target Center since the team began back in 1986.