The Minnesota Timberwolves might be top-of-the-line NBA groups throughout the 2024-25 season, however they proceed to freeze within the clutch. That is shocking as a result of the Timberwolves have first rate gamers and an outstanding coach at Chris Finch.
Their difficulties in clutch have change into properly documented this season whereas they’re blowing tight matches. A small overview of clutch statistics reveals a worrying development that would proceed to chunk the Timberwolves.
Earlier than the 2024-25 season, Anthony Edwards shortly developed as top-of-the-line closers within the League. This season, he was wonderful within the matches, however he Subperformed within the clutch. It has an use charge of 38.9%, however it solely drew 38% on the sphere on 39 clutch video games.
This isn’t an unique downside of the ant as a result of the remainder of the staff can be struggling within the clutch. It’s a disturbing development as a result of most Minnesota video games are shut.
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Timberwolves clutching time numbers
The Minnesota has performed probably the most “clutch” video games of all of the groups in season 24-25 with 43. They’re additionally the staff with probably the most defeats, 25 defeats in clutch matches in comparison with their 18 victories.
It isn’t a statistic whose Timberwolves can be proud. That is removed from the best way the staff occurred in the long run of sport conditions throughout the 2023-24 season when it was ranked tenth with 21 victories in clutch matches.
Within the clutch, they had been disappointing at each ends of the bottom. Minnesota has an offensive be aware of 103.8 and a defensive be aware of 112.8 within the 43 clutch video games. It’s worrying as a result of they might have gained extra video games in the event that they had been performing higher in assault and protection.
The chief of the veteran Mike Conley Jr. has already expressed his issues in regards to the staff’s offensive in the long run of sport conditions.
“We don’t be expressed. The 5 are usually not on the identical wavelength, and we’re scrambled. We’ve guys working round, some come up in opposition to one another and procure reversals or dangerous seems to be,” Conley mentioned After the defeat of March 17 in opposition to Indiana. “It is not all within the coach, it is not all on video games, and gamers to do it at greatest our capacities. We did not do it once we wanted it.”
Everybody should be locked as much as get the victories
This has change into an unlucky development for Timberwolves this season. They may have gained extra video games, however the gamers didn’t do properly throughout the clutch minutes.
The Finch coach should additionally create higher video games for the staff as a result of a few of his units don’t work. As Conley mentioned, he’s not all in charge, however he must also be liable for his errors.
Will proceed to cry out in a vacuum, but when the wolves need extra Anthony Edwards who’ve clutch possessions, they should handle extra actions for him.
I have no idea learn how to determine the tart with the blame between him, the coaches and the teammates, however it appears quick
pic.twitter.com/bkocnrn3– Jake Paynting (@howlsandgrowls_) March 20, 2025
Minnesota is a lot better than their report suggests, however they need to have the ability to shut the video games appropriately if they need a very good blow to succeed in the playoffs and work properly.
This isn’t all on Edwards or the Finch coach, as a result of the Timberwolves should make a collective effort of their video games. They will get bigger victories by doing this by being extra united. If they’ll do it in time for the playoffs, Minnesota can be a harmful staff in opposition to which to play for a staff.
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