The Minnesota Timberwolves just wrapped up a Thanksgiving weekend doubleheader with back-to-back wins - and for a team that’s been searching for late-game poise, there were some real signs of growth. But as much as the Wolves flashed their potential, they also reminded us that closing out tight games remains a work in progress.
Let’s start with Sunday’s 125-112 win over the Spurs. It wasn’t just a win - it was arguably Minnesota’s most complete performance of the season.
After three quarters of trading punches, the Wolves flipped the script in the fourth, outscoring San Antonio by 17 points. The key?
A savvy switch to zone defense and crisp, purposeful ball movement on offense. Suddenly, the Spurs - who had been getting to the rim at will - couldn’t find the same rhythm, and the Wolves were generating open looks all over the floor.
That win came just one night after Minnesota took down the Celtics - another strong team - in a game that tested their resolve. It marked only their second win of the season against a team with a winning record, and doing it on the second night of a back-to-back added some extra weight. For a squad that’s been haunted by late-game breakdowns, the Celtics win felt like a step forward.
But let’s not sugarcoat it: closing out games has been a real issue for this team lately. Earlier in the week, Minnesota let winnable games slip through their fingers against both the Suns and Kings.
In both contests, they held late leads but couldn’t finish the job. Against the Thunder on Wednesday, they were tied with three minutes to go - and then came the turnovers, the missed free throws, and ultimately, another one that got away.
That’s why the Celtics win matters. Because when they gave up the lead in that one, they didn’t spiral.
They didn’t double down on mistakes like they did in the loss to Sacramento. They regrouped, refocused, and found a way to get the job done.
That kind of resilience is what separates playoff teams from the rest of the pack.
Sunday’s game also featured an interesting twist: Rudy Gobert didn’t return after subbing out midway through the third quarter. Head coach Chris Finch clarified postgame that it wasn’t injury-related - the offense was simply clicking, and there was no need to disrupt the flow.
It’s a good reminder that sometimes, matchups and momentum dictate rotations more than anything else. No red flags here, just a coach reading the room.
Another bright spot from the past week: rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. had his breakout moment. Against the Thunder, he poured in 18 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting night.
After dealing with a toe injury earlier this season, Shannon’s confidence and rhythm are finally catching up to his talent. If this is the version Minnesota gets moving forward, it adds a whole new wrinkle to their rotation.
And then there’s Anthony Edwards. He’s been on an absolute tear, dropping 30-plus points in five straight games.
But it’s not just the scoring - it’s how he’s doing it. He’s picking his spots, keeping the offense moving, and showing signs of becoming the kind of closer the Wolves desperately need.
The next step? Cleaning up those late-game miscues.
If he can do that, we’re talking about a legitimate First Team All-NBA candidate by season’s end.
As for the NBA Cup, Minnesota’s elimination on Wednesday comes with a silver lining. Because they didn’t make the quarterfinals, two additional games were added to their schedule - and they’re not exactly murderers’ row.
The Wolves will face the Warriors on the road and the Kings at home on December 12 and 14, respectively. Not easy games by any stretch, but certainly manageable opportunities to keep building momentum.
The Timberwolves have shown they can hang with the league’s best. Now it’s about consistency, execution, and learning how to finish.
The pieces are there. The flashes are real.
If they can keep stacking performances like this past weekend, they’ll be a team no one wants to see come spring.