The Minnesota Timberwolves had a golden opportunity as they faced a depleted Dallas Mavericks squad in their first game after the All-Star break. With the Mavericks missing their newly-traded star Anthony Davis and Rookie of the Year contender Cooper Flagg sidelined with a foot injury, the stage was set for Minnesota to capitalize.
This scenario is all too familiar for the Wolves, facing an undermanned opponent. Yet, as history suggests, nothing comes easy for Minnesota.
Friday night was no exception.
The Wolves burst out of the gates, racking up 40 points in the first quarter and building a solid 15-point lead. By halftime, they were up by 12.
But as the game progressed, Dallas started clawing back. The Mavericks displayed hunger, and it began to show on the scoreboard.
Tyus Jones, the pride of Apple Valley, was giving Minnesota's defense fits, as was Naji Marshall, enjoying a career-best season. And then there was Klay Thompson, hitting shots with the kind of precision that made him a legend with the Warriors. Despite the odds, Dallas' role players seemed poised to pull off an upset against the Wolves.
That's when Chris Finch, often critiqued for his timeout timing, made a crucial call to halt the momentum. After regrouping, Minnesota responded just as Finch hoped.
Anthony Edwards kicked off the revival with a three-pointer, setting the tone for a dominant quarter from the All-Star Game MVP. The Wolves turned up the heat defensively, contesting shots, chasing Thompson relentlessly, and securing rebounds.
Even without Rudy Gobert, every player rose to the occasion, sealing the victory. While Edwards stole the spotlight, this win might signal a significant step forward for the team.
But Sunday told a different story. The Philadelphia 76ers, fresh off a tough loss to the Pelicans, arrived in town.
Like Dallas, Philly was shorthanded, missing Paul George due to suspension and Joel Embiid with a knee injury. With a chance to climb the standings after losses by Houston and Denver, the Wolves stumbled.
Without Gobert and Naz Reid, Minnesota's depth at center was tested. Rookie Joan Beringer got the nod to start but struggled with early foul trouble, never finding his rhythm.
His eagerness to block everything played into the hands of a Philly squad ready to attack the rim. Andre Drummond's rebounding prowess only added to Beringer's woes.
Coach Finch acknowledged Beringer's foul issues but emphasized it wasn't the sole reason for the defeat. Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle missed key open threes, and Edwards had a rough night with seven turnovers, many unforced.
The Wolves' defense was porous, allowing Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to thrive. With their offense faltering, shooting just 30% from beyond the arc, Minnesota couldn't keep pace.
Throughout the season, whether facing New Orleans, Brooklyn, or Utah, the Wolves have struggled to close games, impacting their playoff positioning. Currently sitting as the No. 6 seed in a competitive Western Conference, they could be closer to the 3-seed held by Denver if they finished games stronger.
Fans share the frustration with Finch and the team. Gobert has voiced concerns about the defensive effort, highlighting a lack of urgency and accountability. For a team with championship aspirations, these lapses are costly.
The transition on the bench after moving on from Nickeil Alexander-Walker has exposed depth concerns. Heading into the season's final stretch, the Wolves aim to avoid the Play-In Tournament. The hope is for Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland to solidify a robust eight-man rotation.
Naz Reid summed it up perfectly: "Defense. Our identity is defense, and we all know that."
As the Wolves push forward, maintaining composure and preventing losses like Sunday's from snowballing is crucial. They've shown resilience, as seen on Friday, but consistency is key if they want another playoff run come April.