Analysis
LaMelo Ball's four fouls a night are a problem the blowouts hide
Ball has picked up exactly four fouls in each of Minnesota's three wins and played 68 minutes in all. Margins of 22 to 25 points mean it has cost the Wolves nothing yet.
Latest Timberwolves News
More newsAnalysis
Timberwolves' rebounding gives Anthony Edwards room for an off night
Minnesota beat Orlando 115-93 with Edwards shooting 5-for-23. The shared work on the glass is the part of this win worth demanding again.
Analysis
Timberwolves need LaMelo Ball's short passes against Toronto
The Raptors arrive Sunday after forcing 23 Washington turnovers. Minnesota should keep attacking, with an outlet close enough to punish the help.
Analysis
LaMelo Ball's travel needs a fix, not a smaller Wolves role
The referees explained why Ball's Miami stepback was illegal. Finch should demand cleaner footwork while keeping his point guard aggressive.
Analysis
Timberwolves should keep hunting shooters after Dalton Knecht miss
Knecht agreed to a two-way deal with the Knicks after drawing Minnesota's interest. His uneven Lakers record is a reason to keep looking for shooting, without promising the next prospect rotation minutes.
More Timberwolves Coverage
All analysisAnalysis
Timberwolves must make Paolo Banchero earn points off the line
Orlando took 39 free throws in its opener. Minnesota's next defensive test is keeping Banchero off the stripe without giving away the paint.
Analysis
Anthony Edwards' 45-point opener is a case for more threes
Edwards hit nine threes in Minnesota's 131-106 win at Miami. Keep giving him those attempts, even when the percentage comes down.
Analysis
Ayo Dosunmu's offensive rebounds should change the Wolves' plan
Dosunmu grabbed three of Minnesota's 17 offensive boards in Miami. I'd give him permission to keep chasing misses, with clear rules for who gets back.
Analysis
Jonathan Kuminga's four steals show the role the Wolves need
Kuminga took 10 shots in the opener and still supplied four steals and three assists. Minnesota should build his job around helping its stars, with a bigger demand on the glass.
Analysis
Donte DiVincenzo's Achilles return is a February question, not October
DiVincenzo is out for opening night in Miami with no return date. Jayson Tatum came back 298 days after his Achilles tear; apply that to April 25 and you get mid-February. The Wolves have to plan the first two-thirds of the regular season without his shooting.
Analysis
Terrence Shannon Jr. should be the Wolves’ first wing off the bench
Jaylen Clark has the defensive reputation. Shannon has the shooting that Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball need around them, and the shooting numbers from last season favor him for the minutes.
Analysis
Timberwolves should trust Rudy Gobert before doubling Giannis
Miami's opener gives Minnesota a choice: send extra help at Antetokounmpo immediately, or make him beat a set defense first. I'd start by trusting the size the Wolves already have.
Analysis
Jaden McDaniels' contract extension keeps the Wolves' balance
Minnesota is adding a $40 million season to McDaniels' deal. I like paying to keep the wing who can complement the stars, even with an offensive game that still has to hold up in May.
Analysis
LaMelo Ball's stats make the case for a gradual minutes bump
Ball produced at a star's rate in Charlotte while averaging 28 minutes. I'd give him more time in Minnesota, but 32 minutes is a better starting target than chasing his per-36 line.
Analysis
Isaiah Evans' 21 points earned him a look, not a Wolves rotation spot
The rookie hit five threes in the preseason finale, more points than his previous four games combined. Against that: 11-for-34 for the preseason, and a game with the starters in Detroit where he never got in.
Analysis
Timberwolves schedule: judge the Wolves after 20 games, not 10
Six of the first 10 games are on the road, and the 10 opponents averaged 43.7 wins last season. Then comes a franchise-record eight-game homestand against teams that averaged 32.6.
Analysis
Anthony Edwards turned it over four times as the Wolves lost a lead
Minnesota led Detroit 48-40 with six minutes left in the first half and trailed 65-58 at the break. Edwards turned it over four times in that stretch, and Detroit went on to win the preseason game 128-106.
