theathleticuk
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Timberwolves entered Saturday's matchup against the Chicago Bulls riding a five-game winning streak and fresh off a 40-point demolition of the Dallas Mavericks. The Bulls, missing their stars and forced to travel on game day due to the Federal Aviation Administration shutdown on Friday, arrived at their hotel less than six hours before tipoff and were listed as 16-point underdogs on the second night of a back-to-back.
What followed was a 117-106 Timberwolves loss that saw Minnesota struggle to make shots and string together defensive stops. After the final buzzer, LaMelo Ball suggested the defeat might have been exactly what the team needed.
"For sure," Ball said after a 7-for-25 shooting night. "Like a little ass whuppin by your pops or something. Get you back on track. S—, we need that."
Through the first 12 games, Minnesota (9-4) had looked like a team above such performances. They boasted the league's best net rating and defense, showing consistent effort even without star Anthony Edwards, who has been sidelined since late last month following knee surgery. But against the Bulls, who fell to 2-9, the Timberwolves failed to match the intensity that had defined their strong start.
"I think just not really respecting our opponent," Ball said. "We heard about their flight and their travel and everything and I think people kind of took a little break back. But that's when you're really just supposed to hit. They just hit first."
Ball has been one of the season's best stories since arriving via trade from Charlotte, with his scoring, playmaking, and improved defense fueling Minnesota's hot start. However, all four of the Timberwolves' losses have coincided with subpar performances from Ball, and Saturday was his worst outing yet. He finished with 19 points and four steals but made only 4 of 19 3-point attempts, many of which were quick-trigger shots that seemed to be attempts to atone for previous misses.
"You want him to stay confident in his shot, but I do also think that there were plenty of opportunities to get to the paint," coach Chris Finch said. "Not just for him, but for others, too."
Ayo Dosunmu scored 24 points in his first game against his former team, and Jaden McDaniels added 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. But Minnesota missed its first 13 3-pointers and finished 9-of-38 (24%) from beyond the arc.
"We came out just trying to hoist up 3s, hoping that they would go in," Finch said. "They were so-so shots. Some were OK, some weren't. We weren't really imposing ourselves offensively."
Rudy Gobert went 0-for-7 from the field, marking the fourth time this season he has gone an entire game without a made field goal. He had only six such games in his previous 13 seasons.
"He hasn't been able to finish," Finch said. "He's getting stripped, he's missing layups, he's not finishing strong. He's got to get on balance, collect, and finish strong. Sometimes it's gonna be through contact, but we need him to get his finishing back around the paint."
Jonathan Kuminga shot 3-for-10, and the Timberwolves, who entered the game leading the NBA in rebounding, were outworked on the glass, losing that battle 48-43 and allowing 11 offensive rebounds. Norman Powell scored 23 points for Chicago, Buddy Hield went 4-for-6 from 3, and Patrick Williams contributed 15 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Such nights are not uncommon in the NBA, but Finch was visibly upset as he left the court, given the standard his team has established. The organization believes this team can make real noise this year, and its performance without Edwards had only heightened that optimism, making this loss harder to accept.
"We have to be ready and understand the importance of coming out and competing each and every night," Dosunmu said. "I know it won't get no easier."
Next up, Micah Nori and the Portland Trail Blazers visit for a home-and-home back-to-back on Monday and Tuesday, followed by Karl-Anthony Towns and the defending champion New York Knicks on Thursday. If the Timberwolves aren't prepared, the positive momentum from early in the season could evaporate quickly. But if Ball is right, this could be the reminder every team needs from time to time.
"We got our heads busted in," Ball said. "So s—, we should be ready to play."
Originally reported by theathleticuk.