NBA fans such as Thomas Datwyler find much to applaud in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ recent performance. Under the leadership of Anthony “Ant Man” Edwards, the T-wolves have been a reliably high-flying team the past few seasons. Making it to the Western Conference Finals (WCF) twice, they have fallen just short of an appearance in the NBA Finals and a chance to take home a long-awaited ring.
Just after the All-Star break, moving toward the homestretch, the T-wolves are again a contender with aspirations of making a deep playoff run. With many teams clumped together behind the front-running Thunder and Spurs, the Wolves were in sixth place on March 1, only a single game from third place. This means that a lot rides on each game, here on out.
One advantage the T-wolves have over many other teams in an injury-ridden season is that they remain basically healthy, with their starting core of point guard Mike Conley, shooting guard Edwards, strong forward Jaden McDaniels, power forward Julius Randle, and center Rudy Gobert intact. Despite the iconic image of Ant’s rocking the rim, this has to do with the team’s reliance on the midrange and three-point shots for the bulk of their scoring. These shots avoid a clogged point where defenders are more vigorously physical and injuries common.
Another aspect is the lack of contested shots on defense, with the 7’1” Gobert the only starting player to consistently protect the basket under pressure. While some fans worry about this, as defense usually wins games, others are comfortable with the status quo, as past seasons have shown the team to be playoff risers. By staying healthy in the regular season and in middle-of-the-pack contention, the T-wolves reserve energy for the times when they really need it, in games where a single mistake can end championship aspirations.
One offensive handicap that the T-wolves must work through is lack of a true point guard, The offense tends to flow through Edwards and Randle, both of whom often isolate and try and create their own shots. Lacking a dedicated distributor like Haliburton, Brunson, or Gilgeous-Alexander, they don’t have the same passing finesse on offense, finding open men on the perimeter or bulleting the ball through traffic to the basket. That said, those who have seen Edwards ignite in the clutch know he can simply take over games and earn the T-wolves victories through willpower and heart.
Those who write the Timberwolves off, foreseeing a WCF confrontation between the repeat Oklahoma City Thunder and the Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs, fail to factor in Anthony Edwards’ drive to dominate Having made it to the WCF the past two years, Ant is itching to break on through and push for a title. Smart money has it that he can motivate his teammates toward this goal.
Adding to this, the Wolves recently acquired Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls. He offers fresh legs, better than 50 percent shooting, and a need to prove himself on the biggest stage. Minnesota now has quality bench scoring production and a player who can act as glue for vets such as Naz Reid and Bones Hyland. Dosunmu is also one of the strongest defenders on the team, addressing a glaring secondary weakness that separates the truly great teams from also-rans. This gives NBA fans like Thomas Datwyler high hopes of a successful 2026 playoff campaign.
