Game Preview #18: Timberwolves vs. Kings

Minnesota needs to quickly shake off their loss against Houston in the 2nd night of a back-to-back. Can rookie Rob Dillingham provide the spark the Wolves need to dethrone the Kings?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sacramento Kings
Date: November 27th, 2024
Time: 7:00PM CST
Location: Target Center
Television 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 the Houston Rockets. And now, because the NBA schedule-makers have no mercy, the Timberwolves have to regroup for a second night of action 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’ve lost three straight. The NBA Cup is out the window after the missed opportunity against Houston, and morale among fans is somewhere between “why do I watch this?” and “fire everyone.” But before you toss your Wolves jersey in the fireplace, let’s break this 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. That was the dagger the Wolves needed to seal a gritty 18-point comeback, but the basketball gods had other plans. Instead of going up by eight, the Wolves quickly gave up a three on 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 off a wave of pessimism that’s quickly becoming a tsunami.

A Team Without Identity

The Timberwolves are an enigma. One night they’re taking the Boston Celtics—the defending champs, mind you—to the brink. The next, they’re sleepwalking against the Toronto Raptors or letting a winnable game against Houston slip away. The inconsistency is maddening, 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 the offense to a crawl at times. And let’s not even start 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 utterly 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 injection of energy this team needs. More on him later.

Sacramento: A Familiar Foe

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

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

Keys to Victory: Defense, Dillingham, and a Little Help From the Bench

Let’s start with the obvious: defense. The Wolves need to rediscover the intensity that made them so dangerous last season. That means locking down Fox and Sabonis, grabbing rebounds, and preventing second-chance opportunities. Easier said than done, but it’s non-negotiable if the Wolves want to win.

Offensively, it’s time to fully unleash Rob Dillingham. The kid has been a revelation, bringing a spark to a team that desperately needs it. He’s not just making plays; he’s making 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’s 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’s a game-changer, providing scoring, energy, and hustle. The Wolves need that version of him tonight. And let’s hope someone—anyone—finds their stroke from beyond the arc because the Wolves’ three-point shooting has been downright painful to watch.

What’s at Stake

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

The Wolves have a golden opportunity to string together some wins with home games against the Kings and Clippers this week that would close out the month with this team over 0.500. But it starts tonight. Sacramento is coming in hungry, and the Wolves need to be ready. No excuses, no mental lapses, 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’re not that far off. Two shots—one against Boston, one against Houston—could’ve flipped this narrative entirely. The pieces are there; it’s just a matter of putting them together.

Rob Dillingham’s emergence is a reason 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, the grit, and the focus to make it count. Showtime at Target Center. Let’s go.