Timberwolves

Can the Wolves Master the Art Of the Bounce-Back?

Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder was a night filled with frustration, two ejections, and, most importantly, another loss served to the Minnesota Timberwolves in this young season. After a game like that, the Wolves desperately needed a statement win. If they wish to live up to expectations this season, it will be essential that they master the art of the bounce-back.

The bounce-back starts with a refocusing on the little things. Shots will fall, or they won’t, but the energy players bring to the court must be a constant. The Timberwolves started the game with the energy requisite for a momentum-building win. The effort was palpable as the team recorded six offensive rebounds in the first quarter. The period ended with the Wolves holding a 35-17 lead.

As we’ve seen many times, the Wolves took their foot off the gas and let the Indiana Pacers storm back. Minnesota lost the second quarter by 16 points and headed into the locker room with a 63-61 lead. It was time for the Wolves to show they could take a hit and bounce back.

The Pacers took an eight point lead in the third, and the energy in the Target Center waned. It seemed to be playing out much like a book that Wolves fans have read before. The team was getting sloppy and unable to regain momentum. But just when things seemed lost, Jordan McLaughlin and Naz Reid injected some much-needed life into this Timberwolves squad.

“I thought the key to the fight back was the third with J-Mac and Naz for sure,” said Chris Finch. “[They] went in there and turned the game right around to our favor. Then I thought we went in, we made a lot more simple plays in the fourth on offense.”

The Timberwolves battled back by pushing the pace, being more careful with the ball, and making the simple play. By quarter’s end, J-Mac tied the game at 90 apiece with a buzzer-beating floater. The Wolves showed the grit and effort that coach Finch has been desperate to see them play with. The bounce-back was in their sights.

The Pacers were without their starting power forward, Jalen Smith, so Rick Carlisle opted to start the game super small with 6’5” Aaron Nesmith at the power forward position. Indiana outshot the Wolves from 3-point range 19 to eight, which proved a challenge for the Wolves. They were unable to contain the Pacers’ 3-point onslaught. Ultimately, Minnesota’s size and physicality were too much for Indiana. Rudy Gobert finished the game with 16 points and 21 rebounds. His clutch block on Buddy Hield with seconds remaining in the game sealed the victory for the Wolves.

Gobert may have sealed the game, but D’Angelo Russell’s fourth-quarter heroics helped keep the Wolves in the driver’s seat to end the game. His steady play down the stretch reflected his veteran calm in moments of unrest. Though the second quarter was frustrating, Russell seems to understand that there are ebbs and flows to the NBA year. Focusing on the game in front of him and putting in the work can go a long way for a team fighting to get back on track.

“[We] just had to work for it; it’s the NBA,” said Russell. “Some of them are gonna look like that, you know, where you play with the game a little bit or not do what you’re supposed to. You find a way to get the dub. It’s the NBA, man. It can go any way, any night.”

But Anthony Edwards was the hero of the bounce-back. Edwards was aggressive and unafraid of Indiana’s undersized defenders in his path as he continued his run of dominance while Karl-Anthony Towns has been sidelined. In three games since Towns’ injury, Edwards is averaging 27 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and a jaw-dropping 5.7 steals per game.

“I mean, I’m more impressed with his consistency,”  Russell said about Edwards’ recent success. “Honestly, he’s becoming a pro.”

Edwards is starting to step up in a big way after a start to the season that has left many disappointed. But Russell sees the development happening before his eyes.

“Him being in the league at a young age, he’s learning how to be a pro on and off the floor,” said Russell. “And you can see the development. Him focusing on his craft and his consistency with his routine, I think that’s allowed him to be consistent the way he is. Tonight he was kinda banged up early, I wasn’t sure how he was gonna play it out, but man, he came through. He led, and we followed.”

The Timberwolves have brought themselves back to .500 with last night’s victory. Now that they’ve bounced back, they’ve got to find a way to keep that momentum as they depart for a five-game road trip that has them playing five games in seven nights. They will play the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Clippers, who are all jockeying for position in the western conference with the Wolves. The trip ends with a meeting with Oklahoma City Thunder next Friday. There’s an opportunity for the Wolves to make a statement to the league on this road trip. But if they slip, they can’t go on another long losing streak. They’ve got to maintain composure, focus on the simple things, and bounce back.

Timberwolves
Draymond Green’s Antics Are Beneath the Wolves
By Andrew Dukowitz - Mar 27, 2024
Timberwolves
The Wolves Unlocked Something By Starting Naz Reid
By Charlie Walton - Mar 26, 2024
Timberwolves

Naz Reid Is the People’s Superstar

Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday, Jake’s Graphs made a compelling case that Naz Reid is the ideal man. He’s loved by all, has a killer crossover, and is hard-working. Reid […]

Continue Reading