Minnesota Timberwolves @ Sacramento Kings
Date: November 15th, 2024
Time: 9:00PM CST
Location: Golden 1 Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio
Let’s call it like it is—this week has been a complete disaster for the Wolves. It’s been a triple dose of chaos: a late-game collapse against the Heat on Sunday, a lifeless effort in the NBA Cup opener Tuesday, and an outright implosion against the Blazers on Wednesday. That’s three straight games where the team not only fell short but managed to look progressively worse. Just last week, it was easy to imagine the Wolves heading into the Sacramento game at 9-3, playing .750 basketball, and sitting alongside OKC, Phoenix, and Golden State atop the Western Conference. That scenario wasn’t a pipe dream—it was well within reach with even decent execution. Instead, they’re now sitting at .500. If the season ended today, they wouldn’t even make the play-in.
Let’s face it—this goes beyond typical growing pains. After all the offseason moves and adjustments, calling this an “adjustment phase” feels like a cop-out. What we’re witnessing right now is flat-out unacceptable. That said, sometimes the best approach is to acknowledge the mess, take a deep breath, and move forward. The Wolves need to adopt that mindset heading into tomorrow’s game against Sacramento. Forget the disasters of the past week. The focus has to be on this game, and this game only.
This matchup against the Kings is pivotal for the Wolves on multiple fronts. First and foremost, they need to snap this three-game losing streak and climb back over .500. Then there’s the NBA Cup—if they want any hope of advancing, it starts here. But perhaps most critically, the Wolves need to establish an identity—a sense of pride, grit, and, frankly, signs of life.
The last time they faced Sacramento, it was the Kings’ home opener, an electric atmosphere where the Wolves scraped by with a 117-115 win thanks to a strong fourth quarter. Even then, it felt tenuous, like a team still searching for confidence. Weeks later, not much has changed—they’re still battling the same inconsistency, swinging from winning streaks to humiliating skids. If they don’t rise to the occasion now, this season could unravel quickly.
The Wolves are heading into this matchup with a fully healthy roster, which is a huge plus. Mike Conley, who sat out Wednesday’s debacle against Portland for rest, is expected to return. His veteran leadership will be crucial, especially in a game with this much on the line. On the Sacramento side, DeMar DeRozan is listed as a game-time decision, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him suit up. Meanwhile, Malik Monk—who has a knack for lighting up the Wolves—is out, which gives Minnesota a bit of breathing room.
If the Wolves replicate their Portland performance—low energy, sloppy execution, and a lack of defensive effort—this game could get ugly fast. But if they tap into even a fraction of the pride and intensity they’re capable of, it’s a winnable matchup. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle need to carry the load offensively, while Rudy Gobert must dominate the paint. Jaden McDaniels has a critical role tonight—he needs to bring his A-game defensively to contain De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan.
As for the bench, players like Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker must provide a spark and maintain the energy when the starters rest. The Wolves have the talent to compete with anyone when they’re focused. The real question is whether they can shake off the inconsistency, stay out of their own way, and deliver a complete performance.
Yes, things feel grim right now. But let’s keep some perspective—it’s only twelve games into an 82-game season. There’s plenty of time to right the ship. The NBA is a marathon, not a sprint. That said, this moment feels pivotal. The Wolves need to start stringing wins together, beginning tomorrow night. With tough matchups against Phoenix, Boston, and the remaining NBA Cup games against the Rockets and Clippers ahead, it’s going to take a complete turnaround in effort and focus.
The opportunity is still there for this team to reclaim its pride, earn back respect, and build real momentum heading into the core of the season. The question is: will they rise to the occasion or let this slide define their year?
Here’s what I’ll be watching tomorrow: will the Wolves bring the fight, or will they fold like they did against Portland? The big question is whether they’ll compete with urgency or let another opportunity slip away. I’m choosing to believe they’ll show up—that Anthony Edwards and the rest of the team will play with purpose and pride. But the clock is ticking, and they can’t afford to waste this moment. It’s gut-check time in Sacramento. Let’s see if the Timberwolves have the fire to change their trajectory.
