The Minnesota Timberwolves entered this postseason riding a wave of hype and hope. With their dominant defense, rising superstar Anthony Edwards, and a frontcourt that can overwhelm anyone physically, the Wolves looked like legitimate Western Conference contenders. But after falling behind 2-0 in the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the question now looms large: Can the Timberwolves pull off an unreal comeback?
Letโs break down whatโs gone wrong so far โ and what needs to change if Minnesota is going to flip the script and keep their title dreams alive.
How Did We Get Here?
On paper, the Timberwolves looked like a nightmare matchup for almost anyone. They were the No. 1-ranked defense during the regular season and finished with the third-best record in the West. Anthony Edwards looked like he was making โThe Leapโ into superstardom, while veterans like Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley brought playoff-tested experience to the mix. Everything was coming together at the right time.
Then came the Thunder.
Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a relentless group of athletic, hungry players, OKC came into this series with something to prove. They werenโt intimidated by the Timberwolvesโ size. Instead, they attacked it with pace, ball movement, and perimeter shooting. The Thunderโs defense โ a top-five unit in its own right โ has made life miserable for Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns through two games.
In Game 1, Minnesota looked flat. Turnovers, stagnant offense, and poor transition defense allowed the Thunder to build momentum early. Game 2 was more competitive, but clutch plays from SGA and Jalen Williams sealed another win for OKC. Suddenly, Minnesota found itself in a 2-0 hole heading back to Target Center.
The Road Ahead: Adjustments Needed
So what will it take for the Timberwolves to pull off the improbable and win four of the next five games?
1. Anthony Edwards Must Take Over
Ant-Man has had his moments, but he hasnโt fully imposed his will on this series yet. OKC has thrown multiple defenders at him โ Lu Dort in particular has done a great job โ but this is the moment where superstars shine. Edwards needs to find that extra gear.
Whether itโs attacking earlier in the shot clock, demanding the ball more in crunch time, or creating for teammates when the defense collapses, Edwards has to be the engine. If Minnesota is going to make a comeback, it starts with him going nuclear.
2. Towns and Gobert Must Co-Exist Offensively
The โTwin Towersโ experiment has had mixed results. Defensively, Gobert still changes shots and controls the paint. But offensively, his presence clogs the lane, making it harder for Towns to operate in space or for Edwards to slash.
Chris Finch needs to find ways to maximize both big men โ perhaps staggering their minutes more, or running more five-out sets with Towns at the five and Gobert resting. When the Wolves’ offense gets bogged down, it often starts with poor spacing. Fix that, and the game opens up dramatically.
3. Bench Scoring Is Critical
Oklahoma Cityโs second unit has outplayed Minnesotaโs bench through two games. Naz Reid, the NBAโs Sixth Man of the Year, needs to be more aggressive. He can stretch the floor and create mismatches โ exactly what Minnesota needs to tilt the balance. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kyle Anderson, and the rest of the rotation need to provide consistent energy and shot-making. If the Timberwolves can win the bench battle, theyโll take pressure off the starters and keep games competitive in the second and third quarters.
Momentum Shift in Game 3?
Game 3 is do-or-die for Minnesota. The Target Center crowd will be roaring, and the Wolves are a much better team at home. If they can steal a win and shift momentum, suddenly it’s a 2-1 series with everything still in play.
Donโt forget โ this team has shown resilience all year. They battled through injuries, chemistry issues, and a tough Western Conference to earn home-court in the first round. A comeback isnโt just possible โ itโs believable if they stay locked in and execute.
Thunder Wonโt Go Quietly
Of course, making a comeback wonโt be easy. The Thunder are legit. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an MVP level. Jalen Williams has become a true two-way threat. Chet Holmgren is controlling the glass and altering shots. And most importantly, head coach Mark Daigneault has this young squad playing with a confidence and cohesion that belies their age.
Oklahoma City isnโt just talented โ theyโre poised. They donโt beat themselves. If Minnesota is going to claw their way back, theyโll have to take this series. Nothing will be handed to them.
So… Will the Timberwolves Do It?
Can the Wolves pull off an unreal comeback? Absolutely. But it will require:
- A monster series from Anthony Edwards.
- Tactical changes from Coach Finch.
- Key role players stepping up.
- Limiting turnovers and controlling the pace.
The Thunder are young, but theyโre disciplined. If the Wolves let doubt creep in or lose focus for even a quarter, the series could slip away for good.
Still, this team has heart. They’ve shown it before. And if Ant-Man smells blood, look out. The comeback trail starts at home. If Minnesota can win Game 3, all bets are off.
Because sometimes, the best stories are the ones no one sees coming.
Will the Timberwolves make that unreal comeback? Only time will tell. But donโt count them out just yet. ๐บ๐ฅ
