Damn is the name of my favorite Kendrick Lamar album. It’s also the first word I uttered following the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Game-82 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Already on the wrong side of a Brandon Ingram scoring barrage, rising star Jaden McDaniels exited the game with only 44.9 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Frustrated after picking up his second personal foul, McDaniels threw his right fist against the wall of the team tunnel, which may have broken his right hand.
But Jaden wouldn’t be the only Wolves player to throw a punch during Sunday’s outing.
Minutes after Jaden McDaniels’ immature self-destructive blow, Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson got into an altercation during a timeout. After a verbal argument, the French center threw an enclosed right fist into Anderson’s left shoulder.
Anderson subbed into the game, but the Timberwolves sent Gobert home.
Minnesota won the contest 113-108 behind the triumphant efforts of Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. The win solidified the team as the 8th seed in the Western Conference. But at what cost?
Sunday’s contest was one of the most unpleasant wins in franchise history. Now they have to play LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers for the chance at a playoff rematch against the Memphis Grizzlies. Still, the Lakers game will be must-see hoops because D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt recently played for the Wolves. However, the Timberwolves couldn’t have asked for a more adverse situation.
Through 82 games, the Wolves had the 23rd-ranked offense. For most teams, an offensive rating in the bottom 10 typically means the front office is occupied by the upcoming draft. For Minnesota, though, their 10th-rated defense has helped carry them to back-to-back play-in tournaments. However, McDaniels is out for the remainder of the season, and he played a vital role in Chris Finch’s elite defense. Now Minnesota will be without their best wing defender in a single-game series against the NBA’s All-Time leading scorer.
When asked about the Rudy Gobert-Kyle Anderson altercation, Anthony Edwards had just two words: “No comment.”
Gobert took to Twitter to issue an apology:
Tensions can rise, especially in the middle of a game with playoff implications. Yet Gobert’s actions may cost Minnesota more than he could’ve imagined. Even with Kyle Anderson seemingly sweeping the scuffle under the rug, what occurred on the sideline will be hard to forget.
Most of SloMo’s teammates seem to enjoy playing alongside him. He has been a seamless fit with this Wolves roster. Conversely, Gobert’s arrival has since stifled the team’s offense, leading to some key players indirectly voicing concerns over his fit early in the year. Now the team’s levels of maturity will be even more in question as they look to overcome the effects of Rudy’s right-hand blow to the team’s chemistry.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will need to refocus physically and emotionally before facing LeBron and the Lakers. Otherwise, they may have an early postseason exit.
