The Minnesota Timberwolves’ 115-95 victory over the Denver Nuggets this week was significant for many reasons. For starters, it was another game that marked Minnesota’s complete and utter domination of Denver recently.
The Wolves are 5-0 in their most recent games against the Nuggets, including the final two games of the second round of the playoffs last year. They have won all three regular-season games since the start of this season, with one left to play at the end of March.
They are ultimately Denver’s worst matchup, and the difference seems psychological. Minnesota has numerous wings they can throw at Jamal Murray and seems to have a knack for limiting the rest of their roster. Nikola Jokic will still get his numbers, but holding him to four assists felt significant.
Wednesday’s game raises broader questions about the potential for Minnesota’s success beyond the end of the regular season. Bill Simmons led his Friday podcast by praising the Wolves. Meanwhile, DNVR’s Denver Nuggets podcast was in turmoil, with their hosts dreading the thought of facing this Wolves team in the playoffs.
The 7th seed does not do justice to how Minnesota is currently playing. They are 11-0 in Julius Randle’s last 11 games and appear to have Mike Conley back in form. Jaden McDaniels’ offensive leap and secondary rim protector developments continued even with the rest of the roster back at full strength.
Minnesota could attain home-court advantage because they have the third-easiest schedule the rest of the way. Even if they don’t, are they the team everyone with home-court advantage in the Western Conference will want to avoid?
The Oklahoma City Thunder probably don’t want to play them in the first round. Oklahoma City has only lost to two of the West’s top eight teams, Minnesota and Denver. The Wolves beat OKC twice in the last five weeks – exactly when they picked up in form.
Oklahoma City is a physical team with many looks they can throw at teams at any moment. However, Minnesota’s intensity and physicality have rattled them, and contested matchups tend to bring out the best in Anthony Edwards.
Furthermore, the Timberwolves are also one of the league’s best road teams. Their 20-15 away record is third in the Western Conference behind Oklahoma City and Denver.
Minnesota’s path from bubble team to contender is similar to the Dallas Mavericks’ path last season. The Mavs weren’t a Western Conference contender until the Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington trades last season. After trading for Gafford and Washington, they went 16-4 in their final 20 games last year. That form helped take them to the NBA Finals, where they last to the Boston Celtics. (Then they sent their franchise superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade that baffled everyone.)
The Wolves have a slightly different situation. They stood pat at the trade deadline, persisting with a flawed and injured roster. However, the faith in continuity has paid off at the end of the season. A rejuvenated Julius Randle, who now plays as a primary initiator and less as a scorer, has helped lead their charge up the standings.
It’s not just Oklahoma City or Denver. Nobody would want to draw the Timberwolves right now. The Los Angeles Lakers have looked impressive since trading for Doncic. Still, without a true center, the Wolves may feel they can beat them, especially with all the perimeter defenders they can throw at Doncic and LeBron James.
From there, none of the rest of the potential top-four seeds will want to see this confident and gutsy Minnesota team. The Memphis Grizzlies have been superb throughout the regular season. Still, they might face adversity in the playoffs with changing rotations and a star in Ja Morant, who has been inconsistent and unavailable on a nightly basis.
The Houston Rockets are similar. Ime Udoka coaches them well, and they have a gutsy defensive roster. However, without a clear No. 1 offensive option, they might struggle when the game slows down in the postseason. The Wolves needed another player who could create their own shot, which is one reason why they traded for Julius Randle. Houston’s lack of shot-creators will hurt them in the playoffs.
Minnesota might also face the Golden State Warriors, who have looked excellent since trading for Jimmy Butler. Golden State might sneak into the West’s top four with a rejuvenated Steph Curry and an experienced roster of battle-tested veterans. They appeared to have Minnesota’s number earlier this season. However, their most recent game in December was some time before the Wolves looked like they do now.
The Wolves are a team to avoid with a defense that can turn it on against any team, including their star player and bona fide superstar in Edwards. They look confident and physical and can be flexible with lineup combinations. It might just be what makes them the dark horse team to watch out for as the NBA playoffs creep into sight.