The Timberwolves May Have Found the Spark They Need

The Minnesota Timberwolves are trending in the right direction.

After a disappointing start to the season — 8-10 in their first 18 games — the Timberwolves are beginning to show signs that they could still be the team they were a year ago: a squad with a clear identity and, without question, the league’s best defense. A team that vied for the top of the Western Conference all of last regular season and into the playoffs.

Re-Establishing Their Defensive Identity

The Timberwolves have won four of their last five games, each against teams currently above them in the Western Conference. This success has been fueled by defensive effort and cohesion that were absent earlier in the season. After a sluggish start, the Timberwolves’ defense has improved dramatically, and they now rank fifth in defensive rating at 108.2.

According to a social media post from The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman, the Timberwolves are the first NBA team to give up 92 points or fewer in four straight games since the Grizzlies in 2021 and the first Timberwolves team since 2008 to do so.

This renewed defensive intensity has been a team-wide effort, but Rudy Gobert has been the anchor. Anthony Edwards has acknowledged as much. Gobert has become more vocal and aggressive on the defensive boards, setting the tone for the rest of the team.

That effort has been contagious. Naz Reid is swatting shots off the backboard. Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are relentlessly hounding guys on the perimeter. Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley, and Julius Randle have also elevated their defensive intensity.

Good Defense Leads to Good Offense

This defensive cohesion and effort translate to the offensive end, leading to easier transition opportunities and more open shots, thanks to a greater willingness to move the ball.

Head Coach Chris Finch often speaks about the ball getting “sticky” and how that slows down the offense. Right now, the ball is flowing freely. This shift in ball movement has helped players like Conley, McDaniels and DiVincenzo improve their shooting, especially from beyond the arc. If the Timberwolves want to remain competitive in the Western Conference, these players will need to keep knocking down shots at the level they’ve shown over the past few games.

How they started the season won’t be enough in the long run.

Edwards’ Leadership and Intensity are Key

Two weeks ago, Anthony Edwards spoke candidly with reporters in the locker room after a home loss to the Kings.

He called out he and his teammates for being “soft” and criticized the team’s lack of communication, comparing their behavior to that of “little kids.” After those comments, the Timberwolves began their current 4-1 run. Edwards’ effort and intensity have been particularly evident since then.

In a strong road win against the Warriors on Friday night — where Edwards scored over 30 points and finished with a +23, including a clutch four-point play in the fourth quarter — he yelled in Steph Curry’s face and told the crowd to “go home.”

Edwards’ passion, intensity, and competitiveness have been fully displayed during this stretch. If he continues to bring that same energy to every game, it will inspire his teammates and lead to more Timberwolves victories.

Have the Timberwolves found the spark they need to climb back to the top of the Western Conference? Maybe. They must keep bringing the energy, intensity, and focus on display over the last few games to continue this promising stretch.