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Kyle Anderson Kyle Anderson records full line in spot start
Mon, May 6, 2024, 6:43 PM
Kyle Anderson accounted for six points (3-of-8 FGs), nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in 26 minutes in Monday's Game 2 win over Denver.
Analysis: With Rudy Gobert (personal) back in Minnesota, Anderson was the choice to fill the void in the starting lineup. SloMo was most impactful as a rebounder, with seven of his nine coming on the offensive end of the floor. Given how well the Timberwolves have played, those extra possessions seriously damaged the reigning champions. Add in eight assists and three âstocks,â and Anderson had a solid night at the office. Gobert should be available for Game 3 on Friday, which would bounce Anderson back to the bench. |
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Naz Reid Naz Reid blocks four shots, scores 14 in Game 2
Mon, May 6, 2024, 6:40 PM
Naz Reid accumulated 14 points (5-of-14 FGs), five rebounds, one steal, four blocks, and four 3-pointers in 29 minutes in Monday's 106-80 win over Denver.
Analysis: The Timberwolves are taking a 2-0 lead home to Minneapolis, winning Game 2 dominantly despite not having Rudy Gobert (personal). Reid wasn't the choice to fill the void in the starting lineup (Kyle Anderson was), but that didn't keep him from impacting the action defensively. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year blocked four shots while hitting four 3-pointers and tallying 14 points. And Reid wasn't the only reserve to show off his shot-blocking abilities. Nickeil Alexander-Walker racked up three blocks while also tallying 14 points, six rebounds, one assist, and four 3-pointers in 30 minutes. Minnesota's bench has been superior through two games, and that's unlikely to change when the series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. |
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Anthony Edwards Anthony Edwards tallies 27 points, seven assists
Mon, May 6, 2024, 6:34 PM
Anthony Edwards shot 11-of-17 from the field and 4-of-7 from the foul line in Monday's Game 2 win over the Nuggets, accumulating 27 points, two rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 37 minutes.
Analysis: The Timberwolves were without Rudy Gobert on Monday, as he was back in Minnesota for the birth of his first child. And it didn't matter because Denver still had no answer for Edwards. Ant-Man tied for the team lead in scoring, shooting well over 50% from the field. If there was an issue for him, it was the turnovers, with the star guard racking up four, but to cite that would be to split hairs. Denver has three days to figure out their approach to defending Edwards, with Game 3 scheduled for Friday night. |
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Karl-Anthony Towns Karl-Anthony Towns records 27/12/1/1/2 line Monday
Mon, May 6, 2024, 6:33 PM
Karl-Anthony Towns shot 10-of-15 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Monday's 106-80 blowout of the Nuggets, tallying 27 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal, two blocks, and three 3-pointers in 36 minutes.
Analysis: Minnesota needed Towns to step up with Rudy Gobert (personal reasons) away from the team, and that's what he did. KAT tied for the team lead in points, shooting 66.7% from the field while also grabbing 12 rebounds. He's scored 20 points or more in three straight games, and not only was foul trouble not an issue for Towns, but he and the other starters were able to watch the end of Tuesday's rout from the bench. Gobert should be available for Friday's Game 3, but Minnesota needs Towns to play at this level consistently. Now 6-0 this postseason, the Timberwolves look like a team that can play into June. |
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Monte Morris Monte Morris (finger) will not return on Monday
Mon, May 6, 2024, 6:23 PM
Timberwolves PR on Twitter
Monte Morris (right index finger sprain) will not return to Monday's game against the Nuggets.
Analysis: Morris logged eight minutes before exiting Game 2, finishing with two points (1-of-4 FGs) and one steal. If he cannot play in Game 3 on Friday, Jordan McLaughlin could return to the rotation. However, neither will play enough to merit being added to DFS lineups. |
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Kyle Anderson MIN starting Conley, Edwards, Jaden, Kyle, Towns
Mon, May 6, 2024, 3:37 PM
Timberwolves PR on Twitter
Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, and Karl-Anthony Towns will start Monday's game against the Nuggets.
Analysis: Leading the series one game to none, the Timberwolves are without Rudy Gobert (personal reasons) for Game 2. Filling the void is Anderson, but the Stifle Tower's absence also places more responsibility on Towns. KAT has picked up some silly fouls in the past; Minnesota can't afford to have him land in early foul trouble if they're to take a 2-0 lead. |
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Rudy Gobert Rudy Gobert (personal) downgraded to out Monday
Mon, May 6, 2024, 2:32 PM
Vinny Benedetto on Twitter
Rudy Gobert (personal reasons) will not play in Monday's Game 2 against the Nuggets.
Analysis: While there were some questions regarding whether Gobert could make it back to Denver in time for Game 2 after being present for the birth of his child, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said he would not play. Naz Reid will play more minutes, likely as a starter, and Minnesota needs Karl-Anthony Towns to avoid committing silly fouls. Kyle Anderson should also experience an increase in playing time. |
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Rudy Gobert Rudy Gobert (personal) questionable Monday
Mon, May 6, 2024, 7:59 AM
NBA Injury Report
Rudy Gobert is questionable for Monday's matchup with Denver due to personal reasons.
Analysis: Minnesota took Game 1 on the road in Denver on Saturday, and Gobert's absence would create a major hole in the Wolves' roster for Game 2. If he's ultimately unable to go, expect Naz Reid and Kyle Anderson to see bumps in playing time to fill the void. |
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Mike Conley Mike Conley delivers double-double in Game 1 win
Sat, May 4, 2024, 4:34 PM
Mike Conley shot 5-of-8 from the field and finished Sunday's win over Denver with 14 points, 10 dimes, four boards, a steal and three triples across 31 minutes.
Analysis: After a disappointing Game 1 against the Suns, Conley provided solid play over the final three games of the first-round sweep. The veteran point guard isn't going to dazzle with scoring, but he's an efficient shooter who knows how to pick his spots, knock down triples when needed and get teammates involved. Conley dished 10 assists in six regular-season games, and Minnesota won all of them, so it's no surprise the Wolves were able to extend that streak on Saturday. Conley and Co. will look for another upset win when they return to Ball Arena for Game 2 on Monday. |
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Naz Reid Let's get Naz-ty: Reid drops 14 in the 4th quarter
Sat, May 4, 2024, 4:17 PM
Naz Reid finished Saturday's win over Denver with 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a pair of triples across 23 minutes.
Analysis: Reid averaged just 9.5 points across 18.5 minutes in the Wolves' first-round series against Phoenix, but he played a more pivotal role in Game 1 of the semis. Reid came alive when it mattered most, delivering 14 of his 16 points in the decisive fourth quarter. This season's Sixth Man of the Year has provided microwave scoring when called upon, and he delivered in the biggest moment of his career to date. He'll look to keep it going in Game 2 on Monday. |
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Anthony Edwards Anthony Edwards serves 43-piece to Nuggets
Sat, May 4, 2024, 4:03 PM
Anthony Edwards delivered 43 points, seven rebounds, three assists, a steal, two blocks and three triples across 42 minutes in Saturday's victory over the Nuggets.
Analysis: Edwards capped off a tremendous first-round sweep of the Suns with 40 points in the closeout Game 4, and he kept the momentum rolling into Game 1 of the Western Conference semis. Ant-Man shot an efficient 17-of-29 from the floor and was everywhere on both sides of the ball. He came up with key play after key play, particularly in the closing minutes when Denver attempted a late comeback after falling behind by double digits. Edwards' big night on offense broke a tie with Sam Cassell for most 40-point playoff games in Timberwolves history, and the budding superstar has three such contests to his credit. He and the Wolves will look to make a statement in Game 2 on Monday night. |
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Anthony Edwards Anthony Edwards drops 40 in closeout win
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 7:11 PM
Anthony Edwards scored 40 points in Sunday's closeout victory over Phoenix, adding nine rebounds, six assists, a steal, two blocks and seven three-pointers across 41 minutes.
Analysis: Ant-Man did it all in this one as his team completed the first-round sweep. Edwards led his team in the scoring department, and he punctuated his monster night with a poster on Kevin Durant late in the fourth quarter. Edwards' 40-point game breaks a tie with Kevin Garnett for most playoff games with 30 or more in franchis history. Edwards owns that record outright with eight such games. Most incredibly, Edwards has only played 15 playoff games in his young career. He'll look to keep the momentum going in the Western Conference semifinals, where the Wolves will face either the Lakers or Nuggets. |
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Karl-Anthony Towns Karl-Anthony Towns turns in 28/10/3 in Game 4 win
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 7:04 PM
Karl-Anthony Towns turned in 28 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and four triples across 39 minutes in Sunday's win over the Suns.
Analysis: Towns had his best game of the series, and the timing was perfect for Minnesota. Anthony Edwards led the way with 40 points, but KAT was the Wolves' next highest scorer, and he chipped in his second straight double-double. Towns averaged just 25 minutes in Games 1-3, but he saw increased playing time, while Rudy Gobert played only 25 minutes. Minnesota will face the winner of the Nuggets-Lakers series in the Western Conference semifinals. |
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Kyle Anderson Kyle Anderson (hip) available Sunday vs. PHX
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 2:58 PM
NBA Injury Report
Kyle Anderson (right hip pointer) is available for Sunday's matchup with the Suns.
Analysis: Slow Mo will be available after logging just eight minutes in Friday's Game 3 victory. He's not expected to play a major role in Game 4. |
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Kyle Anderson Kyle Anderson (hip) questionable for Game 4 Sunday
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 1:44 PM
Duane Rankin on Twitter
Kyle Anderson (right hip pointer) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Injured during Game 1, Anderson was a DNP-CD for Game 2 and only played eight minutes in Friday's Game 3. If he remains limited, look for Nickeil Alexander-Walker to continue to play extended minutes off the bench. |
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Karl-Anthony Towns Karl-Anthony Towns records double-double in 24 min
Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 7:42 PM
Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double on Friday with 18 points (7-of-16 FGs), 13 rebounds, two assists and three 3-pointers against the Suns in Game 3.
Analysis: KAT dealt with some foul trouble early in this game, which limited him to just 24 minutes of playing time. However, he was still able to turn in an effective stat line. He has committed 12 fouls in three games despite averaging just 25 minutes per game. They're still monitoring his minutes after his extended absence, but he should play more if he stays out of foul trouble. It hasn't hurt them yet, but it isn't something that he can continue to do in the next round, where they'll likely face off against Denver, barring the first ever 3-0 comeback in NBA history. |
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Nickeil Alexander-Walker Nickeil Alexander-Walker knocks down four triples
Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 7:39 PM
Nickeil Alexander-Walker provided a boost off the bench and finished with 16 points (4-of-10 FGs, all 3PTs), two rebounds and five assists against the Suns on Friday.
Analysis: Minnesota has the Sixth Man of the Year on their team in Naz Reid, but NAW has also had a strong series off the bench, which continued in this game. Through three games, Alexander-Walker is averaging 14.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 3.0 triples in 31 minutes per game, despite coming off the bench. He didn't get any steals in Game 3, but he continues to make a massive impact on the defensive end. He'll continue to make life difficult for Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in Game 4 on Sunday. |
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Anthony Edwards Anthony Edwards scores 36, Timberwolves go up 3-0
Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 7:34 PM
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 36 points (12-of-23 FGs, 11-of-11 FTs), nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, one triple and five turnovers in a 126-109 win over Phoenix in Game 3 on Friday.
Analysis: After struggling in their Game 2 win, Edwards got back on track in this one. This was his highest-scoring game of the series, though it doesn't match his playoff career-high of 41, which he set last year. Minnesota is now in complete control of the series, and they'll look to close it out and advance to the next round on Sunday, where they'll likely take on the Nuggets. Edwards isn't the type of player that takes his foot off the gas, so expect him to have another big game in Game 4. |
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Kyle Anderson Kyle Anderson (hip) cleared to play in Game 3
Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 3:04 PM
Alan Horton on X
Kyle Anderson (right hip pointer) will play against the Suns in Game 3 on Friday.
Analysis: Slo Mo was available to play in Game 2 after getting injured in Game 1, but he didn't end up seeing the floor at all. We'll see if Chris Finch uses him in this one. |
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Kyle Anderson Kyle Anderson (hip) questionable for Game 3 Friday
Thu, Apr 25, 2024, 2:04 PM
Gerald Bourguet on Twitter
Kyle Anderson (right hip pointer) is questionable for Friday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: While it was announced that Anderson was available for Tuesday's Game 2, he did not play. Nickeil Alexander-Walker benefitted the most regarding playing time, as he logged 31 minutes off the bench. Expect a similar scenario if Anderson does not play in Game 3. |
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