Minnesota was at its lowest of lows 10 days ago.
A convincing loss in Oklahoma City marked the Timberwolves’ fourth defeat in five tries, with a lack of competitiveness in each defeat. The Wolves were lost.
They’re now found.
A 15-0 run in overtime to rally from a 13-point deficit proved just that.
Wednesday’s 110-108 overtime win over Houston at Target Center marked Minnesota’s fourth win in five games. That span includes victories over Phoenix, Boston and now the Rockets.
And they’ve done it all without their star player. Anthony Edwards missed his fifth consecutive game on Wednesday. Ayo Dosunmu also missed the contest with calf tightness. Naz Reid missed a pair of games with an ankle injury.
Wednesday’s rally was even more short-handed. Reid was ejected in overtime. Rudy Gobert fouled out. Jaden McDaniels left with a knee injury. And then calls went against the Wolves.
None of it mattered. Not when you have an identity, which Minnesota has rediscovered over the past nine days. The shot-making will come and go, but the Wolves will defend. They will attack the glass. They will make you work for everything.
That’s a great formula to win a lot of games. Houston certainly had no answer for it. The Rockets have been some version of this team all season. They struggle to score but defend at a high rate.
Yet they lacked the connectivity Minnesota possessed throughout Wednesday’s affair. A physical contest was officiated like that of a playoff bout. It bothered Houston. The Wolves didn’t blink.