The Timberwolves Are Trending Up, Even If It Still Feels Uncomfortable
This analysis comes from a recent episode of Harrison Talks Pod, where I spent time breaking down why the Minnesota Timberwolves suddenly feel like a real conversation again. I have avoided them for much of the season, not because they were bad, but because they did not feel like a story yet. That has changed.
Minnesota has now won seven of its last nine games, including a statement win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the numbers suggest something important is happening. This team is stabilizing, even if the aesthetics still feel uneasy.
Why Now Feels Different for Minnesota
The Timberwolves are quietly playing strong basketball. They are 6–2 in December and have posted a +8.3 net rating stretch since November. That matters because it points to correction rather than randomness.
The overall record sits at 18–10 with a +4.5 net rating. That profile belongs to a playoff team. The disconnect comes from how the games look. Minnesota is winning without ever feeling dominant, which creates tension for fans and observers.
This is not a hot streak built on shooting variance. It looks more like a team regaining its footing after an uneven start. The results are solid, and the process is still catching up.
The Thunder Win as a Stress Test
Minnesota’s 112–107 win over Oklahoma City works as a proof of concept for the season. The Thunder entered the night 24–1 and had lost only twice all year. This was not a random upset. It followed the same logic Minnesota has shown for weeks.
The Timberwolves shot just 34 percent in the first half and never found consistent rhythm early. Still, the game never spiraled. Minnesota stayed connected defensively, controlled possessions, and won the final minute.
Oklahoma City struggled late. They finished at 37 percent from the field and under 29 percent from three. The offense leaned heavily on isolation, and secondary scoring never materialized when it mattered.
The defining sequence came in the final minute. Julius Randle missed a free throw, Minnesota kept the possession, Anthony Edwards drilled a pull-up three to take the lead, then sealed the game with a steal on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Minnesota did not control the game wire to wire. They survived long enough for their best player to take over. That distinction matters.
Why the Wolves Still Feel Worse Than They Are
Statistically, there is no glaring red flag on offense. Minnesota ranks seventh in offensive rating at 117.1. Their effective field goal percentage sits at 55.9, and over 62 percent of their made shots are assisted. Those are healthy indicators.
The frustration comes from shot distribution and timing. Nearly 58 percent of their attempts come from two-point range, with over 42 percent from three. Less than five percent of their scoring comes from the midrange. That removes easy release valves when rhythm disappears.
Late-clock efficiency exposes the issue. In the final four seconds of the shot clock, Minnesota shoots 36.4 percent from the field and barely over 21 percent from three. When possessions stretch too long, outcomes tighten immediately.
This explains why losses like the Memphis game feel louder than they should. It also explains why wins still feel tense. The Wolves struggle when offensive decisions slow down, not because the system fails. They lose control when possessions linger.
Why the Floor Has Not Dropped Out
Minnesota’s defense and rebounding continue to stabilize games. The Timberwolves post a 112.7 defensive rating and hold opponents to a 52.5 effective field goal percentage. Their defensive rebounding rate sits near 70 percent, which ends possessions cleanly.
This combination keeps games close during offensive droughts. Minnesota does not overwhelm teams defensively, but they prevent collapse.
Rudy Gobert continues to anchor that identity. His +8.5 net rating reflects how often Minnesota survives rough stretches when he is on the floor. Against Oklahoma City, his 14 rebounds and paint presence mattered even without scoring bursts.
Naz Reid plays a similar role offensively. His 14 points per game off the bench keep lineups functional when starters stall.
Donte DiVincenzo adds structure. Shooting 38 percent from three and posting a +12 in the Thunder win, he spaces the floor and speeds up decision-making without demanding touches. Together, this group explains why Minnesota’s losses rarely spiral into blowouts.
The Belief Test Is Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards sits at the center of everything Minnesota does. He carries a 30 percent usage rate while averaging 28.5 points per game on elite efficiency. His true shooting percentage remains high despite defensive attention.
The Thunder game captured the full picture. Edwards had stretches of poor decision-making and settled shots late. He also erased that stretch by hitting the dagger three, grabbing the defensive rebound, and stealing the final possession.
That responsibility is starting to register league-wide. Edwards appeared in Tim Bontemps’ first MVP straw poll, receiving lower-tier votes. This is not an MVP argument. It is a trajectory signal. Even Bontemps noted Minnesota’s inconsistency, missed games, and room to climb. The conversation reflects responsibility scaling faster than the system around him.
Where the Season Leaves Us
Minnesota has won seven of nine games. They beat Oklahoma City without playing clean basketball. Defense and rebounding continue to stabilize chaos, while late-game offense remains fragile.
The open questions matter more than the answers right now. Are the Timberwolves a top-three seed or a dangerous six seed? Can Anthony Edwards control possessions earlier instead of rescuing them late? Can this team avoid living in the final four seconds? The Wolves are not a bad team. They are being judged differently for the first time.
If you want the full breakdown, this analysis comes from a recent episode of Harrison Talks Pod, where I go deeper into the stats, the Thunder game, and what this stretch means for the rest of the season.
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