What Happened to the Timberwolves’ #1 Defense?

Last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves had the best defense in the NBA—and it wasn’t close.

They ranked first in both points allowed per 100 possessions and effective field goal percentage allowed, and fifth in turnover percentage. The Timberwolves also ended last season fifth in blocks, sixth in steals, and fifth in defensive rebounds. Rudy Gobert was named Defensive Player of the Year, while he and Jaden McDaniels earned All-NBA Defensive Team honors. To cap it off, The Timberwolves were first in defensive rating last year.

After a dominant defensive performance against the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of last year’s Western Conference semifinals, national media hailed the Timberwolves’ defense as one of the best of the 21st century, comparing them to the legendary 2004 Pistons defense.

That spectacular defense has yet to surface this year.

The Timberwolves are currently ranked 9th in points allowed per 100 possessions, 17th in effective field goal percentage allowed, and 10th in turnover percentage. They rank 21st in blocks per game, 12th in steals per game, and 25th in defensive rebounds per game.

They are currently ranked 12th in defensive rating, down from 1st last season. 

Both the statistics and the eye test confirm the Timberwolves’ defensive regression. Their team defense has been unfocused, lackadaisical, and lacking effective communication on that end of the floor.

Defensive Rebounding

People often overlook that the most important aspect of defense is rebounding. Rebounding is the final step in ending an opponent’s offensive possession. When the Timberwolves struggle to rebound effectively, they fail to finish defensive possessions consistently. Allowing the opposing offense multiple opportunities only worsens the situation. Defensive success relies heavily on effort, and it’s difficult to maintain that effort when the opposing team gets several chances to score in a single possession.

The rebounding issue and overall defensive struggles intensify when Rudy Gobert is on the bench. Teams become more willing, eager, and successful at attacking the basket in his absence. Gobert’s teammates either fail to step up or are unable to compensate for when he’s not on the floor. Moreover, they’ve grown so reliant on him and his ability to clean up their mistakes that their play has become sloppy, regardless of whether he’s on the court.

This is not the recipe for a successful defense.

What’s Changed?

There’s no clear explanation for this regression, which makes it so perplexing.

While Kyle Anderson and Karl-Anthony Towns played key roles in the Timberwolves’ defense last year, the talent gap on defense between them and their replacements (Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo) isn’t large. The notable difference is that Towns is bigger and a better rebounder than Randle, and the same goes for Anderson compared to DiVincenzo. Still, that talent gap isn’t wide enough to account for the extent of the Timberwolves’ defensive decline.

The defensive regression stems from a lack of focus, communication, effort, and guys understanding their roles and responsibilities. As head coach Chris Finch continues to emphasize defense and its importance to the team’s identity, the defense should improve. We’re only 15 games in, and the team is integrating its new pieces and settling into the season. It’s not panic time yet. 

However, concerns about the Timberwolves—especially their defense—continue to grow with each passing day. The clock is ticking!