Timberwolves coach Chris Finch came into the locker room after Minnesota’s loss to Denver on Monday and challenged a handful of players as to what they bring to the team’s defense.
Publicly, he called out Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
“We need more from our All-Defensive guys to set the tone,” Finch said. “Jaden’s gotta be better at the point of attack, into his guy a little bit more. Rudy’s gotta challenge more stuff at the rim.”
Because, as of now, it’s not enough.
Minnesota was in control Monday night at Target Center, leading Denver by eight at the break. Then came the fateful third frame.
Denver exploded for 45 points, 23 of which came from Jamal Murray. The Nuggets shot 67% from the field in the quarter, including 63% from distance, all while not committing a turnover.
“No defense. Nothing at the rim. Kept turning corners on us, getting downhill,” Finch said. “We didn’t break off, we didn’t challenge. Too comfortable in the paint and the heart of the defense.”
Just another day in Minnesota.
What was the most ferocious defense in the NBA is now awfully tame. For proof, look no further than Murray, who was frustrated by Minnesota’s defensive tenacity to the point of throwing objects onto the court during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals in 2024.
On Monday, he was able to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. As was Nikola Jokic. Their dominance was eerily reminiscent to that of Luka Doncic against the Wolves in Los Angeles just three days prior.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27), center Naz Reid (11), guard Anthony Edwards (5), guard Rob Dillingham (4) and guard Mike Conley (10) watch play during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota doesn’t have anything defensively for the game’s best at the moment – or anyone else, for that matter. Through four games, the Wolves sport the fourth-worst defense in basketball at 119.8 points allowed per 100 possessions.
For reference, that number was 108.4 during the 2023-24 season. The defense has been in a slow decline since that point. It got incrementally worse last season. And, despite a commitment to re-establishing defensive dominance in training camp, the Wolves have fallen off a cliff on that end through four games this season.
Mike Conley said guys are “playing hard” but cited “too many breakdowns” as a reason for the struggles. Miscommunications ran rampant Monday, which led to a number of open looks for the Nuggets.
“We have to do things as a unit. All five guys have to be in the same mindset and connected when we do things. We kind of got too many rogue situations going on and guys not being on the weak side early enough. Game plan stuff,” Conley said. “It’s just a combination of a lot of things that’s happening.”
First and foremost, Conley said it comes down to guys taking on challenges – to not get beat, to not need to rely on help defense. Miscommunication can be covered up by sheer effort.
“That’s who we used to be,” Conley said, “and we need to get back to that.”
But when Minnesota was that, it had guys like Kyle Anderson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the rotation. The Wolves’ current personnel isn’t as deeply steeped in defensive ability. That’s especially true when Anthony Edwards and Jaylen Clark are out with injuries.
Perhaps that’s why Finch insists he gets more out of McDaniels and Gobert, who are handsomely compensated specifically for their defensive efforts.
“It starts with us. I think we are a defensive-minded team, and whether it’s me inside or Jaden on the wing, I think a lot of the mindset that we try to put into our team starts with us,” Gobert said. “When Jaden and whoever is guarding the ball is pressuring the ball, and when I’m being a monster in the paint, it sets the tone for everybody else.”
But that hasn’t been the case yet this season. Minnesota’s ball pressure has left much to be desired. Opponent’s screen games have created ample separation to free up shot opportunities. Again, the fix is more tenacious on-ball pressure.
“Us on the ball have got to be more sticky. I think we’re just not being as physical as we can be,” Conley said. “I think we can fight over it. Guys can not get screened. We’ve done it. There’s no excuse for it. As a group, we have to be more aggressive on the ball … not just get into a dance with (the ball handler), but trying to lead the dance a little bit, being physical and aggressive like we can be.”
McDaniels and Clark lead the charge on that front, when McDaniels is playing to the defensive level at which he’s capable. He feels as though he’s playing defense the same way he always has.
“But it’s obviously not working,” McDaniels said.
Not for him, not for the team – whose once-proud defensive identity is slowly fading into the abyss. Sure, you don’t want to panic after just four games, but Finch admitted he’s “very concerned about it.”
“We have been extremely inconsistent defensively,” Finch said.
Which, Conley admitted, is “confusing.” Minnesota has enough defenders to guard the ball. It has continuity from last season. It has no reason to not get stops.
“I don’t think we’re looking up like, ‘Man, we can’t guard anybody.’ It’s just like, ‘Why didn’t we do this? Why didn’t we try to block that? Why didn’t you get back on defense? Why did you leave him open in the corner?’” Conley said. “It’s just kind of more baffling than it is a real issue. Nonetheless, it’s something that we have to correct.”
Especially, Finch noted, if they want to win, Conley said it starts with accountability. Finch got that ball rolling postgame Monday. Now Conley said it’s on everyone to respond.
“It’s got to be what matters more than anything, more than how many points we score or anything else going on,” Gobert said of getting stops. “I think that’s the team we need to be.”
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