Minnesota Timberwolves Fans Need To Relax

Simon OpatzApril 9, 20252 Mins read667

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 08: Kevin Porter Jr. #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves exchange words during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on April 08, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a devastating defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.

Some fans are labeling it not just the most crushing loss of the season, but the worst in franchise history.

T-Wolves Suffer Crushing Defeat

This outrage is because the Timberwolves led by 24 points with just 10 minutes remaining in a game they had dominated up until that point. However, in those final minutes, the Bucks outscored Minnesota 39-8, ultimately securing a 110-103 victory.

Wow.

MIN led by 24 with 10 minutes left.

MIL then outscored MIN 39-8 the rest of the game.

In 4th quarter MIN shot 4/20 FG 2/12 3PT w/ 9 TO's.

10 minutes away from the 4 seed, now 8th.

— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) April 9, 2025

In that disastrous fourth quarter, the Timberwolves shot just 4-of-20 from the field, 2-of-12 from beyond the arc, and committed nine turnovers. It was a complete meltdown in a critical game given the tightness of the Western Conference standings.

Timberwolves fans are understandably frustrated by this devastating loss, but the pain of blowing that lead is causing fans to overreact. Some claim the team can’t make a playoff run, insist they’ll be stuck in the playoff tournament, and are even calling for head coach Chris Finch to be fired as a result. This outrage is nothing but emotional conjecture.

Thankfully, Timberwolves players do not seem to share the disillusionment of their fans. This from Timberwolves reporter Chris Hine on X:

To sum up postgame: There's a big gap between how y'all are feeling and how the team says it feels. Part of that is likely out of necessity — the Wolves can't afford to fester in anger or regret now. But they weren't as upset (at least outwardly) as you might think or want.

— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) April 9, 2025

There’s Still Hope

The Timberwolves could very well win their final three games of the season. They face the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night, a team they’re competing with for playoff seeding. Their last two games are against the Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz, two teams not even in the play-in race. With three wins and considering the tough schedules of other teams vying for playoff positions, the Timberwolves could still avoid the Play-In Tournament.

This loss to the Bucks is undoubtedly disappointing, but it’s not something new for the Timberwolves. Throughout the season, they’ve struggled to maintain leads and close out games. Low basketball IQ, stagnant offense, turnovers, and hero ball have often been the main culprits. While this loss to the Bucks may be the most devastating of those games, it’s not entirely out of character.

Despite these occasional late-game struggles, the Timberwolves have been on a strong run. They’re 14-4 in their last 18 games and have shown genuine stretches of dominance. While the Timberwolves may not be a top-tier contender in the Western Conference, they remain a good to very good team that can undoubtedly make some noise and spoil an opposing team’s playoff run.

Remember Last Season?

Think back to last season. The team and its fans believed the Timberwolves had a real shot at the top seed in the West, but poor play down the stretch, capped off by a blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns, put a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. As a result, many doubted their chances against the Suns in the first round, but the Timberwolves proved the skeptics wrong, embarking on their best playoff run in two decades.

Yes, the meltdown loss to the Bucks was terrible, but Timberwolves fans are overreacting and need to relax.

Written by

Simon Opatz

Born and raised in Minnesota, Simon is a lifetime Timberwolves and Vikings fan, and is an avid watcher of both the NBA and NFL. He considers himself a bit of a cinephile and his day job is in Government Affairs.