The Timberwolves look like a team in desperate need of the all-star break, and still two games to go to get there.
The impact of Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards is null and void. Minnesota’s shot-making has fallen off a cliff, and the defense looks like that of a tanking team.
The Timberwolves are now 12-12 since Christmas, just .500, and every game that looks more and more like who they may be. Though even an average team shouldn’t have been embarrassed to the degree Minnesota was at home in a nationally-televised affair Sunday against what’s left of the post-trade deadline Los Angeles Clippers, who ran away with a 115-96 victory.
It’s Minnesota’s third straight loss in games against sub-.500 teams, with a wild comeback in Toronto serving as the team’s only win in its last four contests.
“We don’t have a great spirit about us right now,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “We’ve got to pick it up. … Yeah, it’s apparent.”
The Timberwolves’ debut of Ayo Dosunmu wasn’t the spark Minnesota (32-22) likely hoped it would be. The Wolves lost his 26 minutes by 33 points. In fairness, no one else’s playing time went well, either, as Kawhi Leonard dominated the game for Los Angeles (25-27) from start to finish.
The all-star forward had 41 points and eight rebounds as he dictated the game’s terms.
Edwards scored 23 points, but his defensive effort left much to be desired while he struggled to shoot and committed five of Minnesota’s 21 turnovers. Randle was similarly ineffective, as the struggles with his jumper are proving prohibitive.
Only 17 of Minnesota’s 37 made buckets were assisted. The lack of connectivity on both ends is alarming.
Finch cited potential offensive fixes, noting the Wolves aren’t playing with the pace, which is impacting the ball movement that produces ample opportunities for all.
“We’ve lost our structure on offense,” Finch said. “We’re trying to play into a crowd the last few games.”
Rudy Gobert sounded the alarms after Minnesota’s loss to New Orleans on Friday, suggesting guys who don’t deliver the proper effort be benched by Finch.
Finch didn’t take a liking to those comments, noting the Wolves’ culture is steeped in accountability while noting he’d prefer such thoughts be kept in house while adding teams who achieve things of note don’t substitute their way out of issues.
But it’s difficult to blame anyone who’s frustrated and looking for answers at the moment. Because nothing Minnesota is doing looks like that of a championship-caliber team. The Timberwolves currently don’t defend, don’t share the ball and don’t execute at the level required of high-end teams.
They were thoroughly outplayed Sunday by a team that just decimated its roster in the past week, sending James Harden to Cleveland and Ivica Zubac to Indiana.
Something might need to change, whether it be rotations or approach. The all-star break will be a good time to re-evaluate it all. Until then, Minnesota must hunt for ways to scratch out a pair of home victories — Monday against Atlanta and Wednesday against Portland — to keep pace in a crowded Western Conference playoff picture.
“We’ve just got to stay positive. We know we’re a good team, we’ve just got to get back to playing good basketball,” Finch said. “I’m a big believer that you’ve got to bring good energy every day no matter what. But you’ve got to play well to prove it to yourself and get the juices flowing again.”
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) goes up to shoot while Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) and guard Cam Christie (12) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)
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