Preview #18: Timberwolves vs. Kings

Minnesota Timberwolves against the Sacramento Kings
Date: 27 November 2024
Time: 19:00 CST
Location: Target center
TV coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Timberwolves at a Crossroads: A Must-Win Against Sacramento

Here we are, Wolves fans, licking our wounds after yet another gut-wrenching loss, this time in overtime to Houston Rockets. And now, because NBA schedulers have no mercy, the Timberwolves have to regroup for another night’s game against the Sacramento Kings. This is the very definition of a gut-check game. Can the Wolves summon the energy to right the ship after a brutal stretch, or will they sink further below .500?

Let’s set the stage: Minnesota is 8-9. They have lost three in a row. The NBA Cup is out the window after the missed chance against Houston, and the morale among fans is somewhere between “why am I watching this?” and “fire everyone.” But before you throw your Wolves shirt in the fireplace, let’s break it down.

The fallout from Houston: Missed opportunities and missteps

If you’re still replaying Jaden McDaniels’ wide-open corner three rattling out, you’re not alone. It was the dagger the Wolves needed to seal a ferocious 18-point comeback, but the basketball gods had other plans. Instead of going up by eight, the Wolves quickly gave up a three at the other end and the game turned into a two-point dogfight they couldn’t win. The overtime period? A microcosm of this season: initial flashes of brilliance followed by head-scratching mistakes.

It’s a game they could have, should have and absolutely needed to win. But they didn’t, and now the Wolves sit at 8-9, fighting a wave of pessimism that is quickly becoming a tsunami.

A team without an identity

The Timberwolves are an enigma. One night they take Boston Celtics— the defending champions, mind you — to the brink. The next one is the sleepwalking mod Toronto Raptors or letting a winnable game against Houston slip away. The inconsistency is annoying and the once proud defense that carried this team last season is nowhere to be found.

The offense? Let’s just say it’s a work in progress. Anthony Edwards has moments of brilliance, but hasn’t consistently looked like the unstoppable force we know he can be. Julius Randle, for all his bully-ball antics, has slowed down the offense a few times. And don’t even get us started on Dante DiVincenzo’s brick fest from three-point land.

Without Mike Conley’s steady hand at point guard, the Wolves’ offense has been rudderless. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and DiVincenzo have tried to fill the void, but the results have been completely underwhelming. The bright spot? Rob Dillingham. The rookie has been electric, sparking comebacks against both Boston and Houston. He’s fast, fearless and exactly the kind of energy injection this team needs. More on him later.

Sacramento: A familiar foe

The Kings roll into the Target Center with revenge on their minds. The Wolves have already stolen two games from them this season, both at the Golden 1 Center. You can bet Sacramento would love nothing more than to hand the Wolves a loss in front of their home crowd.

De’Aaron Fox has been out lately, including a 60-point masterpiece that would have been the story of the league had the Wolves not somehow pulled off an overtime win. With Domantas Sabonis providing his usual steadying presence, the Kings are no joke despite their 8-10 record. The Wolves will need to bring their A-game, both mentally and physically, to keep their perfect record against Sacramento intact.

Keys to victory: Defense, Dillingham and some help from the bench

Let’s start with the obvious: defense. The Wolves must rediscover the intensity that made them so dangerous last season. That means locking down Fox and Sabonis, grabbing rebounds and preventing second chances. Easier said than done, but it is not negotiable if the Wolves want to win.

Offensively, it’s time to let loose Rob Dillingham. The kid has been a revelation, bringing a spark to a team that desperately needs it. He doesn’t just make plays; he makes everyone around him better, especially Edwards. With Dillingham running the point, the offense feels more fluid, more dangerous. Chris Finch needs to give the rookie serious minutes, especially with Conley still sidelined.

And then there is the bench. Naz Reid has been in a funk, but this is the kind of game where he needs to step up and continue the momentum he built against Houtson. When Naz is on, he is a game-changer, providing scoring, energy and hustle. The Wolves need that version of him tonight. And let’s hope someone — anyone — finds their shot from beyond the arc, because the Wolves’ three-point shooting has been downright painful to watch.

What is at stake

This isn’t just about getting back to .500. It’s about pride, about showing that this team can compete, even in adversity. A win tonight could be the first step towards rescuing a disappointing start to the season. A loss? Well, let’s not go there.

The Wolves have a golden opportunity to pick up some wins with home games against the Kings and Clippers this week, which would close out the month with this team over .500. But it starts tonight. Sacramento comes in hungry and the Wolves need to be ready. No excuses, no mental breaks, just 48 minutes of focused, high-energy basketball.

Final thoughts

Look, I get it. The optimism from the start of the season feels like a distant memory, and it’s tempting to write this team off. But they are not that far away. Two shots — one against Boston, one against Houston — could have turned that narrative completely. The pieces are there; it’s just a matter of putting them together.

The emergence of Rob Dillingham is cause for hope, and if the Wolves can get healthy, figure out their rotations and tighten up defensively, there’s still plenty of time to turn things around. But it has to start now. Tonight. Against Sacramento.

So let’s see what this team is made of. The talent is undeniable. The question is whether they have the heart, grit and focus to make it count. Showtime at Target Center. Let’s go.