Karl-Anthony Towns scored a franchise record 62 points on Monday but coach Chris Finch tore into Towns and his teammates for blowing a double-digit, second-half lead to the lottery bound Hornets, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
“It was an absolutely disgusting performance of defense and immature basketball,” the Timberwolves coach said.
Finch believed Towns and the other regulars weren’t focused enough on playing winning basketball.
“We totally disrespected the game, ourselves, and we got exactly what we deserved,” said Finch, adding, “We’ve got a lot of basketball left to play, and that’s what our guys need to understand. We haven’t done a thing yet. We haven’t accomplished a thing yet. We’ve got to play with a better desire and a better purpose and a better readiness every single night.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Deandre Ayton is averaging a career-low 12.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in his first season with the Trail Blazers but it hasn’t impacted his high opinion of his game. Ayton told Mark Medina of BasketballIntelligence.net (subscription required) that he’s a max player. “I got nothing to prove in this league,” Ayton said. “I’m a max player, and I’ll continue to be a max player.” Ayton is in the second year of a four-year, $132.9MM contract, which Indiana offered him in restricted free agency and Phoenix matched in 2022.
- Aleksej Pokusevski has only appeared in seven games for the Thunder this season. Coach Mark Daigneault said there’s nothing wrong with the big man physically — he just doesn’t have a spot in the rotation, Clemente Almanza of The Thunder Wire tweets. “He’s healthy,” Daigneault said. “You can only dress 15 guys and we’ve had kinda an uncommon run of health here. We’ve really had a healthy team for much of the season, which is hard to do. Some of that is luck and some of that is the work these guys have put in. Some combination of the two. You have to make three guys inactive and we usually just put out the 15 in uniform that we think are most relevant for that game that night.”
- Collin Sexton has been a major part of the Jazz’s surge up the standings. The guard said his trust in his surgically repaired knee is a big reason why, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. “Confidence is everything,” he says. “Not worrying about pushing off or not trying to change your game just because you are nervous or scared. I feel like that’s something that people have to get over that hump. Now, I’m back at full swing.” Sexton received a four-year, $72MM contract in a sign-and-trade between Cleveland and Utah in 2o22.
Trade Poku to the Mavs & put him in the starting lineup right away!!!!
KAT is so damn annoying
You have so much to prove, “DominAyton”, lmao. I’d trade you for a half-eaten Snickers bar. Daniel Gafford is a better player than you for a third of the price. The team that matched that max offer salary dumped you for an old man Center and a bunch of roleplayers.
Chill coach it’s one game, they have the 2nd ranked defense in the NBA this season. Hell even Towns has a positive DPM this season.
Not a winning mentality
Did you watch the game? Nothing Finch said was wrong. They gave away about a dozen possessions trying to get Towns extra touches in clear double and triple teams.
Towns played great and was the only reason they were in the game at all, but it was a really bad way to lose a game.
“Immature” is a great description of that second half performance. Towns became a ball hog while trying to play hero ball and reach 70 points, and his teammates encouraged it. He was no longer the hot hand, but everyone on the court in a Timberwolves uniform still acted like he was.
This is exactly why Phoenix were fine with shipping Ayton out, and why no contender is knocking on the door to get him – he got his bag and he doesn’t care about anything else. He’s been a half effort player for his whole career.
Yeah there were rumors of his effort but his quote pretty much confirms it. Sheesh.
… still just rumors. Obviously not a good comment, really, in most contexts. But, there really isn’t much evidence Ayton doesn’t give much effort. He’s a number 1 pick. He’s been out lately, but I’m sure the team is being extra cautious and he’s not known to be injury prone. And right now others on the team need to showcase. Scoot needs to get settled.
I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. No need to stress yet. In the meantime, there’s alot of bad blood and negative chatter around this guy that needs to dissipate. I can see how he could be frustrated with the line of questioning and also feeling like his numbers are down and its starting to get to him.
Moody and Wiggins for Ayton and Brogdon?