The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading into the final stretch of their season.
With just 18 games left, they have one of the easiest remaining schedules based on opponent win percentage. Now is the time for the Timberwolves to make a push and climb the Western Conference standings, aiming to avoid the Play-In tournament.
Getting Healthy
There are plenty of encouraging signs that this Timberwolves team can make that push.
The team is getting healthier. Donte DiVincenzo, who missed 19 games, returned last week. He looked fantastic in Sunday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, scoring 24 points on eight made threes. Julius Randle has also returned from an injury that kept him sidelined for eight games, and his defensive energy and enthusiasm were evident in his comeback.
Player Development
The absence of DiVincenzo and Randle turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise.
While the team faced challenges, the void they left gave head coach Chris Finch a chance to assess what the rest of the roster could contribute. It’s clear that Luka Garza isn’t a reliable option, but players like Rob Dillingham, Jaylen Clark, and Terrence Shannon Jr. have shown they can contribute to winning.
Though these young players can be inconsistent and make mistakes due to their lack of experience, their energy on both ends has been crucial. This youthful exuberance could prove vital as the regular season winds down and the team prepares for the playoffs.
Additionally, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid have had more opportunities to step up. Both had impressive scoring and rebounding stretches in February, helping lead the team to victories. This experience in elevated roles will prove beneficial as the playoffs approach.
Edwards is the X Factor
The X factor for the Timberwolves will undoubtedly be Anthony Edwards.
He was recently suspended for a game after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season. He’s the first player in nearly a decade to reach that mark before March. From here on out, for every two additional technical fouls he accumulates, Edwards will face another game suspension.
Avoiding further technical fouls could be challenging for Edwards. Both he and Timberwolves fans believe he doesn’t get the calls he deserves, leading to frustration and, typically, exchanges with the referees. To steer clear of more technicals and suspensions, Edwards must demonstrate a level of maturity that he has yet to show consistently.
For the Timberwolves to make a serious playoff run, Edwards’ maturity isn’t the only thing that needs to be consistent— his shooting will need to be too. He’s been on a bit of a roller coaster lately. While he’s had several 40-point games — six this calendar year — there have also been games where he’s shooting around 30% from the field, scoring in the teens or low twenties.
When Edwards has these off shooting nights, the Timberwolves struggle to secure wins. For the team to have a real shot at avoiding the play-in and advancing in the playoffs, Edwards must eliminate these poor shooting performances.
Timberwolves Being Dismissed
National media has dismissed the Timberwolves as a team incapable of winning multiple playoff rounds, but that’s a mistake.
The team is getting healthy at the right time, allowing them to continue building chemistry. They have one of the easiest remaining schedules and a real chance to rise in the Western Conference standings. Additionally, they boast one of the top seven or eight players in the world, along with enough talent around him, to make a serious impact come playoff time.
The pieces are there for the Timberwolves to make a deep playoff run. It’s now or never for them to prove that they’ve got what it takes.
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