A tough season for the Minnesota Timberwolves has led to the team falling to 14-14.
Last season’s third seed in the Western Conference are now at risk of failing to make the play-offs at all in 2024-25.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are now the 10th seed, with the same record as the 11th Phoenix Suns. Their latest result was a 117-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Up next it does not get any easier, with the Timberwolves facing last year’s NBA finalists the Dallas Mavericks, who have a superior 19-10 record.
The Mavericks warmed up for their Christmas Day game against the Timberwolves with a 132-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Mavs locker room leader and NBA veteran Kyrie Irving looked ahead to the game during his press conference, and spoke of his admiration for rising star Anthony Edwards.
Irving admitted that he has been studying Edwards ahead of the game, and sees a lot to admire about the 23-year-old.
He said: “Just like great artists or great athletes that have come before him, he’s taken a lot from other people’s games and implementing his. That’s what makes you special, that’s what makes you great.
“I was watching some film on him yesterday, and just seeing him get on his guys while he’s out there, he really wants to win. And when you have that mentality every single every single day, it’s going to eventually carry on to your teammates.”
This season has not been an easy one in Minnesota, with fans critical of coach Chris Finch amid their struggles, now losing three straight.
The team’s struggled can be pinned back to the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, which has seen the Timberwolves come off second best.
Julius Randle has come in for criticism, while Donte DiVincenzo is still adjusting to life in Minnesota.
Anthony Edwards has expressed frustration publicly about the team’s poor form, amid fan backlash.
Irving says that he sympathizes with Edwards’ frustrations, and can see that he is trying to push his team on despite their inconsistent record.
He said: “They are still building their identity right now with J-Randle in there, but specifically for Ant, he’s been very vocal in the media talking about his team trying to get something going.
“And as a young player, leading the franchise is one of the toughest things to do, is to burden all that. So I give him credit. I respect him even more so. But you can tell that he gets advice from other guys around the league, and the guys that he was at USA will give him advice.
“You can just tell he’s he’s being counseled, but also he’s figuring out his own because that’s how headstrong he is. You know, he feels like ‘I got it’. So it’s great thing to see young players like that especially, and getting better.”
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