Game Preview #43 – Timberwolves at Grizzlies

The Timberwolves begin a critical stretch against Western Conference Rivals when they face off against the Grizzlies on MLK Day. Can the Wolves clamp down on defense and avoid getting themselves into another track meet with Memphis?

Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies
Date: January 20th, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM CST
Location: FedEx Forum
Television Coverage: TNT/TruTV/Max
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies: A Martin Luther King Jr. Day Statement Game

Here we go, Wolves fans. Another critical juncture in a season that has felt like riding a see-saw at your local playground. The Timberwolves are in Memphis for an MLK Day showdown, fresh off a gas-tank-emptying loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back. While the matchup with the Cavs gave the Wolves a chance to test their grit against the team with the NBA’s best record, this game against the Grizzlies feels bigger. It’s the second meeting between these two teams in just over a week, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Wolves are sitting at 22-20, clinging to the eighth seed in the Western Conference like a character in the final act of a disaster movie. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are firmly entrenched in the playoff race, holding the three seed and boasting the league’s most explosive offense. Last week’s matchup between these two teams saw the Wolves fall short in a 127-125 barnburner. The Wolves kept pace offensively, but their defense and rebounding (or lack thereof) sealed their fate. Now they’re back for round two, with an opportunity to keep pace in the West—or dig themselves into a deeper hole.

Why This Game Matters

This isn’t just another midseason game. This is about sending a message—to Memphis, to the West, and maybe to themselves. A win would pull Minnesota within four games of the Grizzlies in the loss column and keep the dream of a top seed alive. A loss, though? That would leave the Wolves six games back with two head-to-head losses to Memphis, and the top-tier playoff conversation starts to sound like wishful thinking.

Injury Report and Matchup Outlook

Let’s start with the asterisks. Rudy Gobert is listed as a game-time decision, which could be huge considering how badly the Wolves got beat on the glass last time out. Donte DiVincenzo remains out, leaving a noticeable gap in Minnesota’s backcourt. For Memphis, Ja Morant is also a game-time decision, while Marcus Smart continues to sit with an injury. If Morant plays, expect more of the same Memphis chaos: relentless drives, transition buckets, and plenty of headaches for the Wolves’ perimeter defense.

Assuming both Gobert and Morant suit up, this game becomes an interesting chess match. If the Wolves want to avoid getting into another trackmeet with Memphis, they’ll need to control the tempo and lock in defensively.

Keys to the Game

1. Defense, Defense, Defense

Memphis leads the NBA in scoring, and if they hit the 120s again, you can probably chalk this up as another Wolves loss. Minnesota has to bring the defensive intensity early—no waiting until the second quarter to wake up. Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will need to smother Memphis’s guards, particularly if Morant is in the lineup. It’s not about stopping him completely (good luck with that); it’s about making him work for every bucket.

2. Win the Glass Battle

Here’s the thing about last week’s game: The Wolves actually forced Memphis into tough shots at times. The problem? The Grizzlies just kept grabbing offensive rebounds like they were running a clinic. Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie Zach Edey dominated the boards, and the Wolves can’t afford to let that happen again. Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid need to crash the glass with purpose, or this will be another difficult loss.

3. Attack the Basket

Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle need to put their heads down and attack the rim. Not only does this create high-percentage looks, but it also opens up the floor for kick-outs to shooters like NAW, McDaniels, and Reid. Against Cleveland, we saw flashes of this aggression, but tired legs led to too many jumpers clanking off the rim. That can’t happen in Memphis.

4. Avoid the Dreaded Drought

If there’s one constant with this Wolves team, it’s the occasional six-minute stretch where the offense completely vanishes. They can’t afford that against the Grizzlies, especially on the road. Chris Finch needs to have a quick trigger with timeouts and lineup adjustments. If the starters aren’t clicking, he should lean on Mike Conley and Rob Dillingham to stabilize things and keep the ball moving.

What’s at Stake?

Let’s not sugarcoat it: This is as close to a must-win as you can get in January. The Wolves are entering a brutal stretch of games against Memphis, Dallas, and Denver. A clean sweep of this trio could completely change the narrative of their season, vaulting them into the thick of the playoff race. On the flip side, dropping two or all three would leave them spinning their wheels in the play-in mud.

This stretch is also personal. These teams are the Wolves’ playoff ghosts of the past three seasons. Memphis knocked them out in 2022, Denver in 2023, and Dallas last year. If this Wolves team is going to prove it’s different, this is the time to show it.

Final Thoughts

The Wolves are teetering on the edge of something significant—either a breakthrough or a collapse. This game against Memphis is a microcosm of their season: incredible potential, maddening inconsistency, and everything to prove. They need Edwards to be the star we know he can be, Gobert to dominate the paint, and Randle to keep facilitating like he did in New York. Most importantly, they need to play a full 48 minutes, something that’s been frustratingly rare this season.

Can they pull it off? Honestly, who knows. But one thing’s for sure: If they want to stay relevant in the Western Conference, they better figure it out—starting this afternoon in Memphis.