Timberwolves falter without Edwards in surprising loss to injury-riddled Grizzlies
The Minnesota Timberwolves faced a daunting challenge on Wednesday night, missing their star player, Anthony Edwards, for the third consecutive game due to a foot injury. They were pitted against a Memphis Grizzlies squad whose injury report resembled a lengthy CVS receipt, featuring notable absences like Ja Morant and several other key players. Despite this, the Timberwolves fell short, succumbing to a 116-110 defeat in Minneapolis, igniting conversations about the team’s depth and potential trade maneuvers.
Offensive Struggles Plague the Timberwolves
On the surface, the Timberwolves should have capitalized on the Grizzlies’ misfortunes. Instead, they struggled mightily, shooting just 40% from the field and a dismal 30% from three-point range. The second half was particularly painful, as Minnesota missed 26 of their final 35 shot attempts over an excruciating 18-plus minutes. The absence of Edwards was palpable, as Julius Randle, the team’s leading scorer for the night, found himself stifled by Jaren Jackson Jr., one of the league’s premier defensive players.
While Randle managed 21 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting, the rest of the team failed to find their rhythm. Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Donte DiVincenzo were expected to step up in Edwards’ absence but fell short of expectations. McDaniels shot 4 of 11, Reid and DiVincenzo both went 6 of 16, and Bones Hyland struggled with a 3-of-11 performance. Only Rudy Gobert stood out, shooting 6 of 8 and providing a glimmer of hope in an otherwise disheartening outing.
Coaching Concerns Surface
Head coach Chris Finch didn’t mince words in his assessment of the team’s performance. “Horrendous night offensively. Our offensive decision-making was awful all night, from shot selection to turnovers to execution. Yeah, it was just not very good,” he remarked. The echoes of previous disappointing losses lingered, particularly the home defeat to the Phoenix Suns back in December when Edwards scored 41 points but received little help from his teammates.
In that contest, the bench players and role players collectively shot a staggering 4 of 31, raising questions about their ability to contribute during critical moments. The Timberwolves, when healthy, have demonstrated their potential as a high-caliber team, having reached the Western Conference Finals in consecutive seasons. However, their recent struggles against teams like Memphis and Phoenix shed light on the precarious situation they find themselves in.
Trade Talks Heat Up Amid Concerns
The doubts surrounding the team’s depth are prompting discussions about whether the Timberwolves should seek upgrades in the trade market. If Edwards were to face a prolonged absence, the current roster’s ability to support him through the tough stretches could be put to the test. If the consensus is that the supporting cast isn’t equipped to elevate the team, then bold moves may be necessary, potentially including the consideration of trading away promising players like McDaniels.
As the Timberwolves prepare to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, the team must find a way to regroup and address the issues that led to their recent setback. The stakes are higher than ever, with the pressure mounting for a squad that has aspirations of breaking through in a competitive Western Conference.
