Since the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled the trigger on the Rudy Gobert trade back in 2022, their identity has been crystal clear: defense first. Every year since Gobert’s arrival, they’ve finished with a top-10 defense - and this season is no different. According to Cleaning the Glass, Minnesota currently ranks seventh in defensive rating.
But while the overall numbers look solid, the consistency just hasn’t been there. Lately, things have taken a turn for the worse. The Wolves are riding a four-game skid, and their once-reliable defense has been leaking points - especially in their most recent losses to the Bulls and Jazz.
Zoom out a bit, and the trend becomes even more concerning. Over the last two weeks, Minnesota ranks just 22nd in defensive rating.
That’s a steep drop for a team that’s supposed to hang its hat on that end of the floor. During that stretch, the Wolves are 2-5.
The offense? Still humming - top five in the league.
But if this team wants to make a real run at a title, the defense needs to be more than just good in spurts. It has to be dependable.
The Gobert Effect - and What Happens When He Sits
There’s no question Rudy Gobert is still one of the best defensive anchors in the game. He doesn’t just block shots - he changes how teams attack the rim entirely.
With him on the floor, the Wolves boast a 108.3 defensive rating. That would rank second in the league.
But the moment he hits the bench? That number balloons to 123.7 - dead last.
That’s not just a drop-off. That’s falling off a cliff.
It’s not hard to see why. Without Gobert patrolling the paint, the Wolves have struggled to cover up their mistakes.
Jaden McDaniels, typically tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter threat, ends up overextended. And without a true rim protector behind him, breakdowns on the perimeter turn into easy buckets.
This isn’t a new issue. The non-Gobert minutes have been a problem all season. But the recent slump has made it impossible to ignore.
Defensive Accountability Starts at the Top
The Wolves’ defensive struggles go beyond just rotations and rim protection. They tie directly into the habits - and lapses - of their top players: Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle.
Let’s be clear: both guys can defend. On the ball, they’ve shown flashes of real impact.
Opponents are shooting below league average when matched up against either of them. But off the ball?
That’s where things fall apart.
Too often, both Edwards and Randle get caught ball-watching. They’re late on closeouts, slow to rotate, and frequently out of position.
That kind of inconsistency from your leaders sets a tone - and not a good one. When your stars are disengaged on defense, it becomes contagious.
The whole unit suffers.
There was a telling moment in the recent loss to Utah, where Edwards got caught leaning toward a handoff on an after-timeout play - only to get burned on a backdoor cut. It’s the kind of mental lapse that’s become too common.
And they’re not alone. Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo have had their struggles as well. But when your two best players are the ones setting the wrong example, it’s hard to build the kind of defensive identity that holds up in the playoffs.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
If you’re looking for hard evidence of how much Edwards and Randle have hurt the defense, the on/off numbers are glaring. The Wolves are 10.8 points per 100 possessions worse defensively with Randle on the floor - that ranks in the third percentile.
With Edwards, they’re 7.7 points worse - ninth percentile. Only Terrence Shannon Jr. has a more damaging defensive on/off split.
Now, maybe part of that is due to the heavy offensive burden both players carry. That’s fair.
But championship teams are built on two-way buy-in from their stars. And right now, the Wolves aren’t getting that.
What Comes Next
This Timberwolves team has the pieces to be special. The offense is firing.
Gobert is still elite in his role. The supporting cast has talent.
But if Minnesota wants to be more than a regular-season story, the defense has to tighten up - and it starts with their stars.
Edwards and Randle have the physical tools and the instincts to be game-changing defenders. But tools only matter if you use them. Right now, their inconsistent effort and off-ball lapses are holding this team back.
The Wolves don’t need perfection. But they do need accountability. And until their top players commit to both ends of the floor, this team’s ceiling will remain just that - potential, not reality.