After an 0-3 start to the week, the Timberwolves have one more chance to notch a win as they head to Sacramento to face the Kings. The Wolves simply can’t afford to lose this game if they want to compete for the NBA Cup and maintain a semblance of pride.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Sacramento Kings
Date: November 15th, 2024
Time: 9:00PM CST
Location: Golden 1 Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio
Let’s be real here—this week has been an absolute train wreck. There are no two ways about it. We’re talking a full-blown disaster trifecta: a late-game meltdown against the Heat on Sunday, zero energy in the opening NBA Cup game on Tuesday, and then an implosion against the Blazers on Wednesday. For those keeping score, that’s three straight games where the Wolves stumbled, bumbled, and somehow found a way to look worse with each performance. Last week, I was gearing up to talk about how the Wolves could roll into this Sacramento game at 9-3, pushing .750 ball and sitting right up there at the top of the Western Conference standings with OKC, Phoenix, and Golden State. It wasn’t a far-fetched idea. That outcome was right there for the taking if the team could only execute at a marginal level. Instead, the Wolves are somehow sitting at .500. If the season ended today, they’d be missing the play-in entirely.
Let’s be honest, this is beyond growing pains. After all the off-season moves and retooling, this isn’t just an “adjustment phase.” What we’re seeing right now is downright disgraceful. But hey, sometimes you just need to accept what’s happened, take a deep breath, and move on. The Wolves need to enter tomorrow’s game against Sacramento with that exact mindset. Forget the blunders of the past week. The focus has to be on this game and this game alone.
This matchup against the Kings is critical on so many levels. First, the Wolves need to snap this three-game skid and claw their way back over .500. Then, there’s the NBA Cup factor. If they want any shot at advancing in the Cup, it starts with this game. Most importantly, they need to find an identity—a sense of pride, grit, and, frankly, a pulse. The last time they played Sacramento, it was the Kings’ home opener, and you could feel the energy in the building. The Wolves barely squeaked by with a 117-115 win, salvaging their first W of the season. That was a narrow escape fueled by a strong fourth quarter, but it still felt shaky—like a team not quite sure of itself. Now, a few weeks later, they’re still riding that same inconsistency, going from a winning streak to another embarrassing slide. If they don’t step up now, this thing could spiral fast.
Looking at the injury report, it seems we’ll have our full roster. Mike Conley, the vet who could’ve stabilized things Wednesday against Portland, should be back after getting a rest in that game. His leadership is sorely needed, especially in a high-stakes matchup like this one. For Sacramento, DeMar DeRozan is a game-time decision, but I expect he’ll suit up. Malik Monk, a guy who’s made a habit of torching the Wolves, is out. So there’s a break.
If the Wolves play like they did in Portland—low energy, sloppy, no defensive hustle—then this will be a long, painful night. But if they show even a shred of the pride we know they’re capable of, this is a winnable game. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle have to bring the heat on offense. Rudy Gobert needs to own the paint. Jaden McDaniels? This is the night to lock in defensively and clamp down on De’Aaron Fox and DeRozan. And the bench—Naz, DDV, and NAW—has to spark something. The Wolves have the talent. They can compete with anyone when they’re locked in. The question is, can they get out of their own heads and play up to that level consistently?
Yes, this feels bleak. But it’s early—twelve games in with seventy left to go. They have the time to turn this around. It’s the NBA; the season’s a marathon, not a sprint. But make no mistake, this is a pivotal moment. The Wolves need to string together some wins, starting tomorrow night. With Phoenix, Boston, and the two remaining Cup games against the Rockets and Clippers lurking, it will take a 180 degree turn around in effort to pull it off. The Wolves still have a chance to regain their pride, regain our respect, and head into the season’s heart with some real momentum.
So here’s what I’m watching for tomorrow: Will the Wolves show some fight? Will they compete, or will they roll over like they did against Portland? I’ll choose to believe they’ll show up, that Ant and the rest will play like they mean it. But time’s ticking, and they can’t afford to squander this opportunity. It’s gut-check time in Sacramento. Let’s see if the Timberwolves have the fire to turn this around.