After a dazzling run to the NBA Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves are facing easy-to-understand adjustment issues. Star player Anthony Edwards has made substantial strides this season, particularly in his three-point shooting, yet the team’s overall offensive performance has begun to stall. To build on their positive momentum, the Timberwolves now prepare to face the daunting Oklahoma City Thunder. Famed for their usually stout defense, the Thunder make the Timberwolves earn it to raise their level.
Edwards was the top scorer in the league this season, making a record 320 three-pointers. His shooting percentage from 3-point land skyrocketed to 39.5%, a jump of 4.2% from 35.3% last year. This evolution has been at the center of the Timberwolves’ surprising success early in the Timberwolves’ season. Yet areas of their offensive production are lagging. This has revealed vulnerabilities that their future challengers might be able to exploit.
In their playoff journey, the Timberwolves generated the most points per 100 possessions off drives during the first two rounds. Their scoring accuracy led them to the second-best record in the NBA since March 1. There was their astonishing point differential of +11.4. The team’s offensive ranking reflected that astounding turnaround, going from 13th place on the last day of February to second place by the end of April. This admirable trend masked a deeply troubling pattern as they navigated further into the postseason.
Edwards’ Growth and Areas of Concern
Even with Edwards displaying All-Star-level talent through his drastic strides in shooting from deep, the rest of the picture leaves a cocktail of worry. He ranks in the 27th percentile or worse in restricted area efficiency, key, and midrange shooting. This lack of consistency within his own game reveals a greater need for harmony in his offensive arsenal.
I shoot, for sure, more,” Edwards said, accepting his responsibility as a focus for the team’s offense. He added, “Got to go watch some film and pick it apart. We’ll figure it out.” His level of self-awareness does give hope that he’s willing to make the necessary changes to thrive against stronger competition.
No doubt Edwards has had tremendous success. In order for the Timberwolves to beat a fierce Thunder team, they will need their role players to rise to the occasion. The five-man unit that shoots three-pointers with Edwards and Julius Randle finished an impressive 38% during the regular season. When it comes to the playoffs, their hit rate has cratered all the way down to 32%. This recent decrease has advocates worried about their capacity to be there for them, especially when it’s needed the most.
Role Players and Their Impact
The contributions of role players like Dante DiVincenzo, Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid have not met expectations in the playoffs. Their low rankings in 3pt shooting and other measures of shot-making show that they need to improve their play considerably. The Timberwolves’ ability to cash in on their promise lies entirely upon whether these two can get back to their regular-season production.
Minnesota’s victories over the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors over the last week were achieved even with woeful three-point shooting efforts. They were able to win those series by using their driving ability and creating mismatches. Against a team like the Thunder, the task becomes that much harder. Their defense is the best in NBA history, so nothing could work.
The Thunder allowed the lowest opposing field goal percentage at the rim this season and limited points in the paint. Their suffocating defense is a genuine test for any offense and a huge benefit for an 11-0 team. The Timberwolves come in as they’re prepared to face this extremely important game. They’ll have to improve their shooting accuracy and offensive pace.
Randle’s Return and Its Implications
Julius Randle’s return to form has provided a much-needed boost for Minnesota’s offense. Coming off the injury, he shot an elite 45% on all his threes since March. Randle’s seamlessness to slide into – and flourish within – Minnesota’s offensive ecosystem has been the ace up Minnesota’s sleeve during their deep playoff run.
The three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection adds a wealth of experience and talent. He can lead younger players such as Edwards in high-pressure situations. Not only can he shoot, but he can produce defensive breakdowns to find open looks for his teammates. This creates scoring opportunities that wouldn’t be possible against elite defenses.
Randle’s greatness by himself won’t win them games against a top-tier squad such as the Thunder. The Timberwolves need to get on the same page with their overall offensive plan. They should look to maximize Edwards’ individual scoring potential with Randle’s all-around talent. Prolific as it’s been, this collaboration will need to get even better if they hope to go deeper into the playoffs.
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