As the All-Star festivities fade, the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in a spot that feels all too familiar: the sixth seed. For Wolves fans, this position might evoke mixed feelings. Last year, the sixth seed led to an exhilarating run to the Western Conference Finals, but it was a journey sprinkled with just enough fortune that repeating it seems risky.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane. Last season, Minnesota snagged the sixth spot and faced the three-seeded Lakers.
Despite the star power of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, the Lakers lacked depth, and the Wolves capitalized, dispatching them in five games. Then, fortune favored them again as the seventh-seeded Warriors upset Houston, granting Minnesota home court in the second round.
The cherry on top? Steph Curry’s hamstring injury in Game 1, which sidelined him for the series.
That’s how the Wolves punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals, only to be schooled by Oklahoma City. The Thunder didn’t just win; they dominated, reminding everyone of the gap to the top.
So, while the sixth seed “worked” last year, relying on luck isn’t a championship strategy. The Timberwolves need to aim higher, like their 2023-24 iteration that flirted with the top seed and secured the third.
That positioning was crucial. It set up a favorable first-round matchup against the Suns and a thrilling seven-game battle with Nikola Jokic’s Denver.
It gave them control over their destiny, a blueprint worth following.
Here’s the silver lining: the third seed is within reach, just 1.5 games away. The Western Conference won’t roll out the red carpet, but the Wolves’ remaining schedule is manageable.
They’ve already faced most of their toughest opponents. Upcoming games include one against OKC, one against Denver (a team that’s beaten them thrice and should be circled in Sharpie), two with a struggling Houston, and single matchups with the Lakers and Suns.
Out East, they face the conference-leading Pistons twice and the Celtics once.
That’s nine challenging games out of the final 26. Even if those nine were penciled in as losses-which they shouldn’t be-the Wolves could still finish 17-9 down the stretch, potentially securing the third seed. Splitting those marquee matchups could generate real momentum and leverage.
This isn’t about style points; it’s about strategy. Securing the third seed means home court in Round 1 and possibly facing an inexperienced Spurs team in Round 2. It likely keeps them away from OKC and Denver until the Conference Finals.
The path out West isn’t easy, but it can be smarter. The only obstacle between Minnesota and that path is themselves. We’ve seen two versions of this team: the locked-in Wolves who look like contenders and the inconsistent Wolves who rely too much on late-game heroics.
The real battle is internal. The roster is more complete now.
Ayo Dosunmu strengthens the backcourt, and the core that reached back-to-back Conference Finals remains intact. Anthony Edwards is rising into the league’s elite.
With talents like Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Jaden McDaniels, this team has depth and versatility.
There’s no excuse. Short of Nikola Jokic turning into a basketball Thanos, there’s no reason the Wolves shouldn’t secure at least the third seed. The schedule is favorable, the talent is there, and the blueprint exists.
This is about character. It’s about whether they’re content being an exciting team that can beat anyone on a given night or if they want to be the team that maximizes every opportunity in February and March, setting the stage for execution, not survival, in April.
At times this season, it’s felt like the Wolves are waiting for the playoffs to start taking things seriously. But in this conference, that’s a risky approach.
In two months, they’ll be gearing up for Game 1 of a playoff series. The tone for that series, and potentially their entire playoff run, will be set by their performance over these final 26 games.
The third seed is there for the taking. It’s not a fantasy or a pipe dream.
It’s right in front of them. The question is whether they want it badly enough to seize it.
Because if they don’t, and they end up lower in the standings, they won’t be able to blame luck or the bracket. They’ll only have themselves to answer to.
It’s time to lace up the work boots, stop playing around, and treat every game like it matters.