3 Thoughts After Timberwolves-Suns Game 2
Minnesota Timberwolves take commanding 2-0 lead over Phoenix Suns in intense playoff battle. Jaden McDaniels shines, raising questions about series outcome.
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Well, well, well. Would you look at this: the Minnesota Timberwolves hold a 2-0 lead over the Phoenix Suns heading into Friday’s Game 3 in Phoenix. After sweeping the season series over the Timberwolves, the Suns have underwhelmed. Game 1 was tough to take much away from because it was a 25-point blowout for Minnesota. However, Tuesday’s 105-93 Game 2 victory for the Timberwolves was impressive. Despite the team being discussed as an inexperienced group, they looked like a team that had two previous playoff runs together.
This was not a pretty game; it felt like a playoff game. The Timberwolves made everything difficult for the Suns. Minnesota, particularly Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels, made everything difficult for Phoenix. Overcoming adversity by not letting go of the rope when the opponent makes a run or recaptures the lead is a signature of an experienced team. Or at least of a team with more experience than we believed.
Expecting the Suns to come out strong to avoid going back home down 0-2 was realistic. Yet, it was a 24-21 Minnesota lead at the end of one quarter. The Suns’ Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker combined for just 3-for-15 from the field in the quarter but went 6-for-7 for the free throw line. Karl-Anthony Towns had a disappointing start, committing three fouls in the first quarter and did not play at all in the second quarter. Anthony Edwards was just 1-for-5 from the field at the half after a big performance in Game 1.
Despite these issues, Phoenix led 51-50 at halftime with minimal contributions from Towns and Edwards. This still felt like a 50-50 game.
The second half was a different story. The Timberwolves forced 10 second-half turnovers. McDaniels delivered 13 points and four rebounds to finish with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added eight points, four assists and two rebounds and Towns went 3-of-5 from the field. Edwards did not have to force scoring and could focus on playmaking because guys were making shots.
This was a significant win because of the mettle the team showed by keeping the game in reach and eventually retaking the lead for good. Here are some other thoughts I had watching Tuesday night:
Is The Series “Over?”
Sometimes, judging this team fairly is difficult because I’m too close to it. This happens to everyone who covers one team from time to time. But a lot of the immediate reaction to the Wolves pulling away was about whether this series was effectively over. As a longtime follower of this team, weird things happen— guys punch curtains resting against concrete walls, knuckle pushups or fight on the sideline during games — that derail higher hopes. The Timberwolves have the stature they do for a reason.
While I am hesitant to say the Timberwolves are going to sweep the Suns, one point tells me that they can likely close this out in five games. That point is whether we think the Suns can now win 4-of-5 games from this Timberwolves team. Phoenix was 26-15 at home in the regular season but Minnesota was 25-16 on the road.
In the same way that the Timberwolves should’ve anticipated the Suns coming out hot in Game 2, that is even more true in Game 3. Even though Game 4 is on their court, heading into that game down 0-3 feels spirit-breaking at this point, not just because they would be facing a sweep.
Unlike the times the Wolves held a 2-1 series lead, as they did against Memphis in 2022, this feels like the Wolves should close this out. Particularly, I’m watching out for Devin Booker, who is shooting just 37 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3 in this series. It feels like one of these next two games will be a good Booker scoring game.
Jaden McDaniels Ascends
If you have read this space for a while, you know how I feel about McDaniels. He is a great defender who has not yet become the scorer or rebounder he needs to attain a higher status in the NBA. McDaniels’ 25-point, seven-rebound, and three-assist performance was one that, aside from the scoring, felt highly replicable. Take a look at some of these plays.
I don’t know that McDaniels will ever become an elite ballhandler, but there is no reason he can’t be a consistently capable dribbler. In the second clip, McDaniels also goes straight up against Durant instead of falling away off balance. As for the corner 3’s, McDaniels has alternated 40 percent and 36 percent shootings from that spot; finding greater consistency from there is an easy way to improve his scoring and efficiency.
As for the rebounds, McDaniels has great length and even though he plays on the perimeter and with Gobert and Towns, has not been a very productive rebounder. His 3.1 boards per game this season were even lower than his career average of 3.7 per game. Fair or not, a player at his position with his contract is usually expected to rebound more.
McDaniels is just 23 and can still grow in all these areas, plus playmaking, for several more seasons. No one realistically thinks he can become a 25-points-per-game scorer but why not 15-18 a game someday? There are glimpses of offensive prowess on nights like Tuesday. Add that to his defense that has held opponents to 28 percent shooting with McDaniels defending and the Timberwolves would have an even more formidable wing tandem with him and Edwards.
To be clear, McDaniels is great now. The Timberwolves are not up 2-0 without him either. Yet, night’s like Tuesday remind you that there is even more to McDaniels’ game and that is thrilling.
Absolutely Derek, McDaniels was a prize I was amazed to land on draft night! Just as NAW’s availability as a throw in pick in trade. Like you, I’ve followed this team for a long time (day1) always looking over my shoulder for what’s the next disaster waiting to darken the lights!
This team has the potential to move well into the playoffs, did I expect favorable results from a team that blew them away 3 times this season, no! But after watching these 2 games and multiple Suns press coverage, I can see doubt and head hanging on their big 3. Fridays game will be a challenge worthy of just how far this team has come, definitely a statement game… or…As always thanks for this Derek!!