The Minnesota Timberwolves had a challenging time last season when games came down to the wire. They played in more “clutch” situations—games with a score difference of five points or less in the final five minutes—than any other team, but they often came up short. This season, they are determined to change that by improving their performance in these high-pressure moments.
A team’s ability to win close games is crucial for success in the NBA. For the Timberwolves, their poor record in these situations last season significantly affected their playoff seeding. Their main goal now is to develop the focus and strategy needed to turn those narrow losses into victories.
📊 A Tough Record in Tight Games
The Timberwolves’ performance last season was a tale of two extremes. They were excellent in games that weren’t close, winning 29 while losing only 7. However, in clutch situations, their record was a disappointing 20 wins and 26 losses. This struggle in tight matchups was the main reason they ended up as the No. 6 seed in the competitive Western Conference, a big drop from their No. 3 seed the year before when they were much better in the clutch.
🧠 A New Strategy for Crucial Moments
To fix this problem, coach Chris Finch and his staff are introducing a new game plan for the end of games. Instead of relying almost entirely on their star player, Anthony Edwards, to create a shot, the team plans to use more diverse plays. This includes running pick-and-rolls with Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert, and getting the ball to new players like Julius Randle in the post. The idea is to have multiple options to keep opponents guessing and create better scoring opportunities.
⭐ Team Effort Over Individual Heroics
While Anthony Edwards is a fantastic player in high-pressure moments—he even led the league in total clutch points last season—the team knows that winning consistently requires a group effort. Teammates like Donte DiVincenzo and Rudy Gobert have emphasized the need for better chemistry, focus, and mental toughness from everyone on the court. They believe that avoiding simple mistakes and staying connected as a team during the final minutes will make the biggest difference.
📈 Early Season Shows Mixed Results
So far this season, the Timberwolves have shown both promise and areas for improvement. They started with a 2-1 record in close games. In a recent match against the Lakers, they demonstrated their fighting spirit by making a huge comeback late in the game to take the lead. However, they ended up losing on a last-second shot by Austin Reaves, a tough reminder that they still have work to do. The experience, though painful, serves as a valuable lesson in their quest to become a stronger finishing team.
