The MVP chants were out and about on Wednesday.
As the Wolves let up a double-digit lead, lost their starting point guard to an injury, saw foul-outs to two starters and were forced into overtime, Jimmy Butler took over.
Holding off a 19-point comeback from the Denver Nuggets, and a follow-up comeback that forced overtime, the Timberwolves managed to stay out in front and win 128-125.
Butler – who showed off his expertise in finding lanes and drawing fouls – had 12 of the Wolves’ 14 points in the overtime, shooting 2 of 3 from the field and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line.
“He’s changed everything for us; big play after big play,” Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game. “He guards everyone, [makes] hustle plays, tough rebounds in traffic, passes, shots, free throws. Everything.”
The overtime MVP-caliber heroics aside, Butler was at an All-Star level the entire game. He finished the game with 39 points, four rebounds, five assists and got to the line 18 times.
With the dominant performance came the MVP chants, and with the MVP chants came even more impressive play as the game drew close.
“I just want to be here to win and give this city hope, put this city back to where it wants to be, at the top of this thing, in the playoffs,” Butler said in the locker room.
The heroics came after the highest-scoring first half this season – 71 points – a return to shooting form from Andrew Wiggins and the usual brilliance from Butler.
The Wolves hit everything early on – literally everything from 3-point land, where they managed to make their first five shots from deep.
Karl-Anthony Towns also had a huge first half, and looked to be on a triple-double pace as the half started to wind down, all while playing some of the better defense he’s played all year.
Eventually, he started to play with some over-confidence, and fouled out in the fourth quarter.
Despite building a 19-point lead at one point in the game, their massive scoring outburst in the first half was halted by some almost-as-impressive scoring from the Nuggets.
This resulted in a 13-point lead for the Wolves through the first half; one that built, then disappeared as the game pressed on.
“That’s our challenge, to play for 48 minutes,” Thibodeau said. “We have to continue to focus on our improvement. We’re nowhere near a 48-minute team. The good thing is that we found a way to win.”
As Will Barton began to drain shots in the second half, the Nuggets gained confidence. And as the Nuggets gained confidence, Towns got into foul trouble, Butler couldn’t hit, and Wiggins’ shot selection started to falter.
Even worse: as the game drew even closer, the Wolves lost their starting point guard to a knee injury.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbgJXvnC18
This forced Tyus Jones – who had one of his worst offensive showings in recent, and otherwise impressive, memory – to finish the game for the Wolves.
According to Thibodeau after the game, he’ll have an MRI at some point in the future, but there’s nothing else definitive to tell.
This was after Towns had already fouled out, forcing the Thibodeau to go small with Gibson at center.
If Teague’s knee injury keeps him out for any period of time, it will mean Jones will see time as a starter. He has recent experience with this, averaging 12.3 points, 6.7 assists and shot 41.7 percent from 3-point range in three starts earlier this season.
He said after Wednesday’s game that he’s ready to do that again, if it’s needed.
“As always, whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll be ready to do so,” Jones said. “I’m hoping Jeff’s alright, I never want to see anyone go down with an injury. It’s this next one up and I’m ready to step in and help this team either way.”
Thibodeau and head trainer Greg Farnam will have to make an immediate decision on Teague, as the Wolves head to Milwaukee for a back-to-back closer against the Bucks.
Thankfully for Thibodeau and the Wolves, Butler was able to alleviate any immediate concerns about what to do with a fallen starter.
But when asked if this was the best he could do, he stayed humble.
“I’m doing OK,” he said. “It can always be better.”
Whether Butler is the MVP this season or not, he played and acted like one on Wednesday.
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