Preview #7 – Timberwolves vs. Hornets

Minnesota Timberwolves against the Charlotte Hornets
Date: November 4, 2024
Time: 19:00 CST
Location: Target center
TV coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio

All right, Wolves fans, buckle up because it’s officially stomach check time in Minnesota. Tomorrow night, the Timberwolves will host the Charlotte Hornets at the Target Center, and let’s just say this game has all the makings of a must-win — even if it’s only the seventh game of the season.

Now, to be fair, it’s tempting to chalk up that San Antonio loss as a “scheduling L.” Arriving in San Antonio at 04:30 after an emotional, physical showdown with Denver is a brutal turnaround. Physically, they had to be gassed. Emotionally? Completely drained. But there’s a part of me — the part that still believes this team has the potential to be one of the best in the West — that says, “Hey, a superior team still finds a way to beat the Spurs.” The defense was practically MIA and the offense couldn’t get out of second gear. Julius Randle, I’m looking at you here. We’ve seen glimpses of him as the guy who can create his own shot and light a fire on offense, but against San Antonio he was basically a human pivot. The Wolves need more from Big Julius, plain and simple.

So here we are, back at home, facing the Charlotte Hornets – a team the Wolves should, by all accounts, handle with ease. But let’s not forget: this is the same Hornets team that pulled off a massive fourth-quarter comeback in Karl-Anthony Towns’ 60-point game last season. This game is a chance to finally put those ghosts to rest.

The Battle of the 2020 Draft Class: LaMelo Ball vs. Anthony Edwards

The big headline, of course, is the showdown between LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, the top two picks from the 2020 draft. At the time, many believed the Wolves had made a mistake in taking Ant over LaMelo, especially since Ball walked away with Rookie of the Year honors. Flash forward to now, and no one doubts Minnesota’s choice. But let’s be real: these two will be linked for the rest of their careers, and every match between them carries a little extra weight. Ant has had his moments this season, but he also had a tough outing last game. This is his chance to show why he is the face of the Wolves and arguably the crown jewel of the 2020 draft class.

No excuses – it’s time to show up

The Wolves run a lot on this game. Falling below .500 would be a tough pill to swallow, especially when expectations for this team were so high. Sure, we can talk about needing time to gel with new pieces like Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. We can talk about ups and downs by getting everyone on the same page. But here’s the thing: those excuses don’t hold water if they can’t close out games they should win.

This is a golden opportunity for Wolves to make a statement, especially in front of the home crowd. They need to come out with energy, execute on both ends and avoid the lack of focus that leaves inferior teams hanging around. The Target Center faithful deserve to see a team dialed in, ready to dominate and fully dedicated to defending home turf.

The bottom line? The wolves have a chance here to get things moving in the right direction. Tomorrow’s match is not just about winning; it’s about setting a tone. It’s about making the league aware that the Wolves are more than just an up-and-down team. They are a force to be reckoned with. And anything less than a commanding victory? Well, that just won’t cut it.