The old saying goes, “If you love your playoff positioning, set it free; if it returns to you, it was meant to be” – or something like that. Just as the Minnesota Timberwolves had seized the No. 6 seed, the Denver Nuggets stripped it away. The Timberwolves slipped back to the seventh seed after a tough loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. And although they held onto the sixth seed for less than 24 hours, the fight to avoid the NBA’s play-in tournament remains for Chris Finch and Co.
It’s no secret that Minnesota wants to finish in the top-six of the Western Conference standings. Scroll across Wolves Twitter, and you’ll see fans tweeting their desires for the team to avoid the play-in because Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis could return to play for their respective teams. Even with the Wolves looking virtually unstoppable at times lately, a one-game series against the Los Angeles Lakers or New Orleans Pelicans could potentially be the end of the road for the Blue and Green. It would be a disappointing end to a feel-good season.
But finishing as the sixth seed would be about more than just avoiding the play-in. It would provide a chance to change the public’s perception of the Pack.
The Timberwolves should be eyeing the No. 6 seed now more than ever, not only because they risk missing the postseason in its entirety. If the Wolves finish as the sixth seed, they’d likely match up against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. With just 10 games left on their season’s schedule, and a two-game lead over the fourth-seeded Utah Jazz, the Dubs are a near-lock to finish in third place.
But why would the Timberwolves want to take on the Warriors?
Early Thursday morning, Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news that Golden State’s Stephen Curry would be out indefinitely due to a sprained ligament in his left foot, a devastating loss for a team looking to compete for a championship this year. Although no one wants to win due to an opposing player being out with an injury, the Wolves could alter how others view them by making it past the opening round if Curry cannot come back in time. Add in that they’d be facing old friend and All-Star starter Andrew Wiggins, and the Wolves would have a chance at seeking revenge on a franchise many said “fleeced” them back in February 2019.
If the Wolves finish as the seventh-seed, they will probably play Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. And although Anthony Edwards claims he “just want to beat Memphis” this season, Edwards and his teammates should be licking their chops at a chance to play a Steph-less Golden State team in the playoff’s opening round.
Memphis has the second-best record in the league for a reason. Like the Wolves, the Grizzlies are a young, gritty team trying to prove that they aren’t a one-season wonder. The Wolves are 2-2 against the Grizz this season. But all four outings occurred without the Minnesota Murderer himself, Dillon Brooks. Think I’m joking? The fifth-year forward has yet to lose a game to Minnesota since the dark days of Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau on Apr. 9, 2018!
When the Mavericks beat the Wolves in Dallas, they made it nearly impossible for the Timberwolves to finish fifth in the standings. With the seventh-toughest remaining schedule in the league and sitting one game behind the 6th-seeded Denver Nuggets (18th toughest), it’ll be no easy task for Minnesota to reclaim what was once theirs.
Minnesota has been considered a doormat since they traded Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics in 2007. Although a playoff berth is an accomplishment, a chance to make some noise in the postseason at the expense of Wiggins and the Warriors would be nothing short of A1.
