The Phoenix Suns made the Timberwolves sweat a bit, didn't they? Coming off a tough loss to the Celtics, the Suns arrived at Target Center, ready to challenge a Minnesota squad just two games ahead in the standings. With Anthony Edwards sidelined, the Wolves were still favored by 3.5 points, but they needed someone to step up in his absence.
Edwards, one of the league's most durable players, is set for a re-evaluation in 1-2 weeks. Without him, the Wolves needed a new source of energy.
Initially, they struggled, particularly against the Suns' pick-and-roll, leaving reserve big Oso Ighodaro wide open. Ighodaro, averaging just under 5 points per game, started strong with 10 points early on, capitalizing on simple screen-and-roll plays.
The Wolves seemed lost without Edwards, but then Bones Hyland took charge. He got his jumper going and injected pace into the offense, helping Minnesota find its rhythm. Despite trailing by nearly double digits in the first half, the Wolves clawed back to lead by one at halftime.
Minnesota made key adjustments, especially against Phoenix's hard rollers. Rudy Gobert's defensive positioning forced the Suns, notably Jalen Green, into tough shots. Green ended the night shooting a rough 3-17.
With improved defense and a second-half surge from Julius Randle, along with Hyland and Ayo Dosunmu pushing the pace, the Wolves turned things around after a shaky start.
Goosebumps Once Again
Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle had been navigating a rough patch, reflected in a -4.0 net rating over their last six games together. Their "your-turn, my-turn" style was disrupting the offense's flow.
With Edwards out, Randle had a chance to regain confidence. Before facing Oklahoma City, Randle was hitting only 27 percent of his threes since the new year. But in the last two games, he's been on fire, shooting 62 percent.
Coach Chris Finch highlighted Randle's improved decisiveness, noting that the ball finds him earlier in the offense, and he's trusting the next play more.
Randle, embracing his role, insisted that Edwards' absence doesn’t change much for him. However, without Edwards, Randle has played more freely, and his aggressive playstyle has paid off. He finished the night with 32 points, marking his first back-to-back 30-point games this season.
Sometimes, losing a key player forces new solutions to emerge. This period could lead to better ball movement and a more fluid offense, setting the stage for Edwards' return.
Emptying the Notebook
- Jaden McDaniels needs to stay active on offense without Edwards.
He was efficient, scoring 16 points on 6-12 shooting, but could be more involved. Despite the tough task of guarding Devin Booker, McDaniels should demand the ball more, as his involvement boosts the team's offense.
- The NBA faces a game flow issue, with lengthy stoppages for reviews and challenges disrupting the pace. While accuracy is crucial, the league might consider solutions like a shot clock on stoppages to maintain the game's rhythm.
Looking ahead, the Wolves face the Utah Jazz, who are in tank mode without Lauri Markkanen. It should be a manageable challenge for Minnesota, especially at home.