Minnesota Timberwolves @Sacramento Kings
Date: October 24, 2024
Time: 9pm CDT
Location: Golden 1 Center
Television coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Alright, Wolves Nation, buckle up, because it’s already time for Minnesota to shake off that season-opening stumble against the Lakers and get back on track. After a night of what can only be described as ugly basketball, the Timberwolves are set to take on the Sacramento Kings in the second half of their California road trip. And to make it even more interesting, it’s the Kings’ home opener. So yes, the Wolves will have to deal with a new excited crowd eager to see real basketball after months of watching highlights and scrolling through endless offseason trade rumors.

On paper, Minnesota should have the upper hand here. Sacramento isn’t exactly a juggernaut, and they didn’t even make the play-in tournament last season. But let’s not pretend that these kings can’t be dangerous. They gave the Wolves fits last year, claiming victory at mid-season tournaments and pulling off an overtime win when Malik Monk decided to channel his inner Steph Curry and delivered a dagger-filled performance. If you remember, that was also the game where Anthony Edwards left at halftime to welcome his newborn daughter, throwing everything out of sync. As far as I know, there are no Timberwolf babies on Friday night, so we should have the entire crew available this time.

Adjustments are the name of the game

The big takeaway from the Wolves’ opener was that things didn’t quite go to plan. The offense seemed about as coordinated as a high school dance, and it was clear that incorporating new faces like Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo won’t be seamless. That’s not surprising: Big trades and significant roster changes usually come with growing pains. But if you’re a Wolves fan, you have to hope that Chris Finch and the coaching staff have dissected the film and figured out what the heck went wrong.

Spacing was a glaring issue against the Lakers, and if the Wolves want to get even against the Kings, they need to figure out how to spread the floor better and get some flow on offense. Edwards tried to carry the burden, but at times it felt like he was doing it alone. Against Sacramento it can’t just be “give the ball to Ant and pray.” There needs to be a more cohesive team effort to generate open looks and keep the defense on their heels. Randle and DiVincenzo need to find their place, and someone needs to hit some threes to keep the Kings honest. Let’s not sugarcoat it: things were ugly in LA, but that’s what early season is for: working out the kinks.

A battle in the paint

The Kings bring their own challenges, especially with DeMar DeRozan now involved. Adding him alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis gives Sacramento a pretty formidable trio, but like the Wolves, they’ll have to figure out how to make all the pieces fit together. DeRozan isn’t exactly known for his three-point shooting, so if the Wolves can clog the paint and force Sacramento into long-range shots, that will be a win. Sure, Sabonis will be his usual nasty self, but he’s not Anthony Davis. Let’s just say I’d feel a lot more comfortable with Gobert, Randle and Naz Reid trying to tackle Sabonis than the chaos we saw in containing Davis.

For Minnesota, capitalizing on that size advantage will be key. The trio of big men – Gobert, Randle and Reid – must dominate the boards and ensure Sacramento doesn’t get any easy putbacks or second-chance points. The Wolves were outgunned plain and simple in LA. That can’t happen again, especially against a Kings team that doesn’t have the same physical level.

Time to show some courage

Look, good teams don’t give up after a tough game; they get better. The Wolves got a wake-up call against the Lakers, and now it’s time to respond. No one wants to start the season 0-2, especially with a brutal schedule ahead, including games against Dallas and Denver. Getting a win in Sacramento won’t be easy, but that’s not the intention. Winning in the NBA, especially on the road, is about finishing those tough games and showing you have the courage to fight through adversity.

If Minnesota can escape this West Coast swing at 1-1, I’d consider that a success. Sure, it’s not the ideal start, but it’s a lot better than being immediately in an 0-2 hole. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, but there’s no reason to trip over your own feet before you reach the first mile marker.

The ant factor

Let’s be honest: If the Wolves are going to get this win, it’s going to come down to Anthony Edwards. He is the man and he showed what he can do against the Lakers, but now we need him to take over. Not just for a quarter, not just in spurts: Edwards must dominate the game. If he is locked down and aggressive, gets to the rim, makes shots and plays the tenacious defense he is capable of, Minnesota has a great chance to right the ship.

But he can’t do it alone. This requires everyone to step up and do their part. The first part of the season is about setting the tone, and if the Wolves come out and lay an egg in Sacramento, it will be a lot harder to dig out of that hole with the schedule looming.

So here we go, Wolves fans. It’s time to see what this team is made of. Was the rough opener just a fluke? Or is there more work to be done than we want to admit? We’re about to find out.