The pack of Wolves is hurt, and even more, are their fans as the Indiana Pacers win the game of the nerves. The Minnesota Timberwolves were looking unstoppable, riding their season-high eight-game winning streak, only to convert it to nine. However, their impressive run came to a disappointing halt on Monday. At the Target Center, the beats were fast, and the bodies were on the line, but only one passed the thin line. The hearts of the hosts were crushed by a buzzer-beater dagger from Obi Toppin. With just 3.5 seconds remaining on the clock, Toppin’s shot from the left corner sealed the deal for the Pacers to win the game in overtime, 132-130. Even more pinching for Anthony Edwards and co. was that Indiana was without three of their key players! So who’s responsible for the slip? Eyebrows raised, fingers pointed, only for an answer.
Yes! The Pacers were without superstars, Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, and Pascal Siakam. Which ideally should have made this matchup much easier for the Wolves. So, why couldn’t the star-studded side led by Anthony Edwards couldn’t get the job done? The difference was the intent. Well, for starters, Minnesota didn’t enter the game with the energy they are known for. Moreover, even with three key players out, the Pacers didn’t just surrender and had the hunger to prove themselves. But again, the Wolves aren’t known for their lack of intent, so what stopped their chariot? Playing back-to-backs?
After this defeat, there was obvious frustration in the Minnesota locker room. The players felt like they weren’t able to execute the plan properly on the night. This was visible through their superstar guard, Anthony Edwards’ tiredness. He had to play with a chip on his shoulder despite the Pacers not being at their full strength. Edwards finished the night with a team-high 38 points and looked like the only one locked in. Not just fans, the same was later pointed out by Minnesota’s veteran guard Mike Conley Jr.
“We put so much on ANT. ANT can get tired late.” He stated. It wasn’t just that, Conley Jr. suggested that late in the game, fatigue started to set in Edwards because he didn’t get the exact help he wanted from his teammates. “Sometimes it might just go get the ball and get it to Julius or run action with Naz or Jaden or somebody else to get him to relax in the corner and play decoy for a couple of possessions. We haven’t been able to do that,” Conley Jr. further explained.
Jan 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5), center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard Mike Conley (10) talk during a free throw against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Well, this is a worrying sign for the Wolves. The shooting guard’s teammates will have to step up on occasion and help him out so that he can get a breather or two. This is something even HC Chris Finch needs to look into and find ways to give the 23-year-old some rest by making ANT’s teammates hold the offensive end and craft some plays with other players on the focal point of it. 37-year-old guard Mike Conley Jr. believes that from now onwards it has to be more than just a one-man show. Because just like ANT pushed away the “face of the league,” title, the Wolves need to relieve the young guy from the duties and push more energy into the team.
Minnesota’s veteran guard Mike Conley Jr. urges his team to play as a unit
Though the Timberwolves lost the game in overtime, but never looked convincing in the first place. The team looked out of place and lacked the energy from the starting whistle. The Pacers, despite missing several of their starters, didn’t miss a beat. It was a disastrous start for the Wolves as they turned over the first two possessions and then just didn’t get into their groove. Things began to snowball in the second quarter as they fell further and further. So much so, that the Pacers built a massive 15-point lead at one point.
After a solid comeback in the third quarter and a neck-to-neck fight in the fourth, Minnesota could take the game to overtime, again, only to fall short. Speaking to the media after the game, Mike Conley Jr. explained what his team lacked. “You know, we can’t rely on just one guy we got to you know trust our team and just uh try to win games that way,” Conley stated. Well, he’s correct in that aspect. Edwards lacked support, which should have come from his teammates. The veteran urged his team to play better as a unit and not just rely on Anthony Edwards alone.
While the Timberwolves have been playing great until now, they cannot afford to get complacent. This eight-game streak has positioned them well in the playoff race and if they enter a slump, they might just move out of the picture. That’s something no one in Minnesota would want. So, players such as Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Rudy Gobert, and Mike Conley Jr. himself will have to lead by example and ensure they learn from this defeat and move on. Now, they’ll have to shift their focus toward the Pelicans and get back to winning ways to keep their playoff dreams alive.
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