MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 19: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk in the third quarter of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center on December 19, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Mavericks 111-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Four years ago, in the 2017-18 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves made the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2004. The long-awaited journey was over after the first round, though, and the team finished with 36 wins and 46 losses in the 11th place in the Western Conference the very next year.
The next two seasons after that were mediocre, to say the least. The team recorded 19 wins and 45 losses in the 2019-20 season, and then 23 wins and 49 losses in the next season.
This year, the team is playing notably better, though, showing an impressive improvement both offensively and defensively in comparison to their past performances.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have come a long way in recent years
They started off the season with two well-deserved wins against Houston and New Orleans, both led by Karl Anthony Towns. Now, in week eleven of the season, they have had 16 wins and 17 losses so far.
Last season after the same number of games, they recorded only seven wins and 26 losses. The question is, where did this new spark come from?
The two-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns is the unquestionable leader of the Timberwolves, averaging 24.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1. He has been steadily leading the team in points, rebounds, and blocks ever since he started his career as the number one pick in the 2015 draft.
Towns just recently passed 10,000 career points and was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week in week 9. Aside from that, he is a rather low-profile player, always keeping his game on the same high level.
There is a difference in the team this season, however, which might stem from recent additions to the roster.
Minnesota Timberwolves <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/29/minnesota-timberwolves-come-long-way/"https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/04/11/timberwolves-snap-nba-longest-active-playoff-drought-win-over-nuggets/509550002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2004</a>. The long-awaited journey was over after the first round, though, and the team finished with 36 wins and 46 losses in the 11th place in the Western Conference the very next year.</p>
<p>The next two seasons after that were mediocre, to say the least. The team recorded 19 wins and 45 losses in the 2019-20 season, and then 23 wins and 49 losses in the next season.</p>
<p>This year, the team is playing notably better, though, showing an impressive improvement both offensively and defensively in comparison to their past performances.</p>
<h2>The Minnesota Timberwolves have come a long way in recent years</h2>
<p>They started off the season with two well-deserved wins against Houston and New Orleans, both led by Karl Anthony Towns. Now, in week eleven of the season, they have had 16 wins and 17 losses so far.</p>
<p>Last season after the same number of games, they recorded only seven wins and 26 losses. The question is, where did this new spark come from?</p>
<p>The two-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns is the unquestionable leader of the Timberwolves, averaging 24.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1. He has been steadily leading the team in points, rebounds, and blocks ever since he started his career as the number one pick in the 2015 draft.</p>
<p>Towns just recently passed 10,000 career points and was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week in week 9. Aside from that, he is a rather low-profile player, always keeping his game on the same high level.</p>
<p>There is a difference in the team this season, however, which might stem from recent additions to the roster.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/29/minnesota-timberwolves-come-long-way/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Anthony Edwards' progress </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-439951" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/29/minnesota-timberwolves-come-long-way/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1358720607.jpeg" alt="Minnesota Timberwolves" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1358720607.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1358720607-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PORTLAND, OREGON – DECEMBER 12: Anthony Edwards # 1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up prior to a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 12, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Anthony Edwards is turning into a star for the Minnesota Timberwolves</h2>
<p>Last season’s number one draft pick, Anthony Edwards, has proven to be a valuable asset to the team and to Town’s game. The guard has no problem dribbling and shooting the ball or distributing it to the other players, especially Towns underneath the basket.</p>
<p>The youngster is already averaging 22.1 points and leads the team in steals in only his second NBA season. Besides showing a mesmerizing personality and confidence on the court and off the court, the 20-year-old has also already made history.</p>
<p>When the Timberwolves played the Denver Nuggets last, Edwards made ten three-pointers, which makes him the youngest player to achieve that feat. As if that was not enough yet, Edwards is also the seventh player in NBA history to score 2,000 points at age 20 or younger, joining legends like LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.</p>
<p>With these performances in mind, it is safe to say that Edwards is a big part of the Timberwolves’ newfound success, and may even be the inspiration behind it. He is able to combine his skills beautifully with those of his teammates, and with some more experience, he will soon be one of this generation’s greatest players.</p>
<p>Between Towns, the steady rock in the Timberwolves’ game, and the newcomer Edwards, you should not ignore other valuable players such as D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Patrick Beverley, either.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/29/minnesota-timberwolves-come-long-way/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The rest of the squad </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-439952" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/29/minnesota-timberwolves-come-long-way/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1237346053.jpeg" alt="Minnesota Timberwolves" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1237346053.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1237346053-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 19: D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts in the fourth quarter of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center on December 19, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Mavericks 111-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>The Minnesota Timberwolves have a solid supporting cast this season</h2>
<p>Russell adds an average of 18.8 points to the team’s score, which is a little less than last season, but the point guard has improved his assists to an average of 6.4 per game.</p>
<p>This way, he is contributing important points himself and setting other players up to score as well. This also includes Beasley and Beverley, who are averaging 11.6 and 8.7 points, respectively.</p>
<p>Those two also seem to be bringing a certain dynamic and competitiveness to the team, especially defensively on the defensive end.</p>
<p>These are only some of the more prominent names on the Timberwolves’ roster, however, and every single player contributes valuably to the team’s new success. They proved this on Monday when they beat the Celtics while eight players, including all five starters, had to miss the game due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols.</p>
<p>The bench picked up the slack successfully, led by Jaylen Nowell, who recorded a career-high of 29 points. This game proves how thoroughly the Timberwolves have improved as a squad in the last few seasons, not just in their starting lineup.</p>
<p>Their newfound success can not be attributed to only one or two players but is rather the result of individual achievements combined with an improvement in the team’s dynamic.</p>
<p>The team has been plagued by COVID all season long, regularly losing players to the health and safety protocols, and yet it is their best season in years. As the season continues, it will be interesting to see how things pan out for the Minnesota Timberwolves.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Rumors - Timberwolves eyeing Myles Turner and Ben Simmons" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/20/nba-trade-rumors-myles-turner-ben-simmons/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/29/minnesota-timberwolves-come-long-way/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/20/nba-trade-rumors-myles-turner-ben-simmons/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Rumors - Timberwolves eyeing Myles Turner and Ben Simmons </a> </div>
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