Timberwolves Slump After All-Star Break, Fall to Bucks 112-107

Shaky Offense, Dismal Third Doom Wolves in Return

The Minnesota Timberwolves returned from the All-Star break with a thud, losing 112-107 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. A disastrous third quarter, where they were outscored 36-13, proved too much to overcome despite a late rally.

Third Quarter Meltdown

After a close first half, the Wolves’ offense completely stalled in the third. They shot a mere 26% and committed six turnovers, allowing the Bucks to pull away. Anthony Edwards, who led the team with 28 points, admitted to being “out of shape” and struggled with his shot.

Giannis Dominates, Lillard Delivers Dagger

Giannis Antetokounmpo was unstoppable for the Bucks, finishing with 33 points and 13 rebounds. He also drew 14 free throws, more than both teams combined. Damian Lillard iced the game with a clutch jumper in the final minute, extinguishing any hope of a Wolves comeback.

Gobert Battles, Beasley Burns Former Team

While Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points for the Wolves, Rudy Gobert’s impact went beyond the stat sheet. He grabbed 19 rebounds but sprained his ankle in the third quarter. Despite the injury, he remained in the game and said he’s fine. Former Wolves guard Malik Beasley had his revenge on his old team, scoring all his 14 points in the pivotal third quarter.

Coach and Players Lament Lack of Urgency

Head coach Chris Finch pointed to the lack of movement and ball movement in the third as the key culprit. “We weren’t very sharp,” he said. “We were hustling but not urgent.”

Edwards echoed the sentiment, blaming the All-Star break for a dip in focus. “We came out a little too comfortable,” he admitted. “We missed shots, and that one stretch cost us the game.”

Looking Ahead

The loss snaps the Wolves’ four-game winning streak and raises questions about their consistency. Despite the setback, they remain atop the Western Conference standings. However, they’ll need to rediscover their rhythm and urgency if they want to maintain their position as contenders