The Timberwolves are out of excuses after losing to the shorthanded Warriors on Wednesday, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes. Nearly everything went wrong for Minnesota, including a slow start to open the game that saw the Wolves fall behind 13-0.
“They came out how we should’ve come out,” said Donte DiVincenzo, who scored 28 points to go along with nine assists and six rebounds. “There’s no excuses. I think we just have to be better to start the game. We got it together. We fought and clawed our way back, but we start the game differently, this is a different story.”
Gui Santos made his first career start for Golden State and was effective, while Rudy Gobert was out-rebounded by Trayce Jackson-Davis. The Wolves rank 22nd in defensive rebounding after finishing ninth last year, which Krawczynski writes is a direct result of Gobert’s regression.
Anthony Edwards was critical of the lineup – himself included – that surrendered that early 13-0 deficit, Krawczynski writes in the same story.
“The starting five, we are terrible,” Edwards said. “Every game we come out low energy and the second group comes in and gives us energy. I would say the starting group has gotta come out with more energy like we want to play the game of basketball, like we love the game.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Things won’t get any easier for the Timberwolves as they embark on a difficult stretch that includes tilts against the Knicks, Cavaliers and Grizzlies. DiVincenzo is out with a toe sprain, according to team PR (Twitter link). It’s not clear exactly how much DiVincenzo will miss, but toe sprain absences are often measured in weeks and not days.
- The Trail Blazers saw a glimpse of a brighter future in a Tuesday loss to the Nets, Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report writes. Second-year players Scoot Henderson and Toumani Camara both recorded career games, with Henderson scoring a career-high 39 points while making eight three-pointers and Camara finishing the night with 24 points.
- Nuggets coach Michael Malone expressed confidence last month that Jamal Murray would begin to silence his critics with his play and, after a season-high 45 points from the Kentucky product on Tuesday, Malone defended his guard again. “I think the microscope on Jamal is a little intense,” Malone said, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “Everybody’s just got to kind let the kid breathe a little bit. He’s not perfect. And if you look, I think his overall stats as of recently, he’s been very good for us.“
Minnesota was a mess before Mike Conley arrived …… They are now a mess with Mike Conley finally showing his age and being injured. Minny should engage with Phoenix and see if they can pry Tyus Jones free. Need a competent pass-first guy next to Anthony Edwards. Jones is shooting 42% from distance. Jones is also a Minneapolis kid who would a shot to play for his home team in the Playoffs.
Time to get rid of the coach. They need a spark and maybe that’s what needs to be done here.
The Wolves/Warriors game went like this
1Q: GSW +22
2Q: MIN +9
3Q: MIN +4
4Q: MIN +8
Minny shot like crap, and outplayed the Warriors every step of the way from 2Q-on. Gui Santos looked awful in every other quarter. Warriors could have easily lost that game.
Julius Randle and a 2026 2nd round pick for Jerami Grant? Who says no? Allows Portland to get out of the final three years of the deal. Allows Wolves to get a guy who can play defense and create better spacing for Edwards to operate.
Randle is untradeable so not sure why Portland only wants one second for Grant?
Randle’s going to opt in to his deal after this year since he played so badly. Grant’s been bad this year too, but he’s worth more than Randle unquestionably. At least one first more. He’d also worsen the Wolves rebounding problem.