The Timberwolves’ offense managed to hum early offensively in their first full game without star guard Anthony Edwards. But Minnesota couldn’t sustain the pace in a 127-114 loss to Denver at Target Center.
If anything, Minnesota missed Edwards’ defensive capabilities. Without Edwards and Jaylen Clark, who missed the contest with left calf tightness, much of the Timberwolves’ defensive resistance was diminished.
That showed up in a major way over the final two frames.
Minnesota struggled out of the gates, but worked its way back into the contest at the end of the opening frame and utilized a 24-7 run in the second quarter to build a 9-point advantage. The Wolves led by eight at the break in a game in which both offenses were getting any look they wanted.
Denver just happened to miss a few good looks over the first two quarters. It did not in the third.
Denver scored 45 points in the third quarter to seize control of the contest. Jamal Murray had 23 of those points, hitting four triples in the frame.
Minnesota (2-2) was unable to continue to go blow for blow with Denver’s massive firepower as the Timberwolves’ shots stopped falling down the stretch. Late-game offense was another area in which Edwards was missed.
The Wolves continued to generate good shots even over the final two quarters — they penetrated the paint at will throughout the affair — but Jaden McDaniels, who finished with a team-high 25 points, nor Donte DiVincenzo could get critical shots to fall when they needed them to stay in the fight.
Julius Randle added 24 points and seven boards. Mike Conley, who started in place of Edwards, had 10 points.
But it wasn’t nearly enough to counteract what Denver (2-1) was doing on the other end. Murray finished with 43 points on the night. Nikola Jokic logged his third triple-double in as many games, finishing with 25 points on 9 for 10 shooting to go with 19 rebounds and 10 assists.
On the night, Denver shot 52% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Yes, the Nuggets sport one of the NBA’s best offenses, but it was another game in which Minnesota was unable to impose itself defensively.
It’s a growing theme just a few games into the season, and one the Wolves will need to address if they’re to achieve at a high level, particularly while Edwards is out of the lineup.
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