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5 reasons why the Timberwolves are making a push in the West
Minnesota is 11-4 over its last 15 games, tied for the sixth-best record in the NBA during that span.
Austin Remo, RotoWire.com | March 4, 2026 7:44 PM
Anthony Edwards, guarded by Scottie Pippen Jr., during his 41-point performance against Memphis.
Throughout the middle of January, the Timberwolves looked lost. Following a 6-1 stretch that included impressive wins over Cleveland, San Antonio and Miami, they dropped a season-high five consecutive games, their longest losing streak since 2022 (six).
Despite herculean efforts from both Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle âEdwards scored a career-high 55 points in a 126-123 loss to the Spurs, and Randle went for 30-plus twice âMinnesota struggled to find consistency to close out contests, falling to non-playoff teams in the Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls.
However, after a brutal loss to Golden State in which they scored a season-worst 85 points, things have gone much better in the âLand of 10,000 Lakesâ Over their last 15 outings, the Wolves are 11-4, tied for the sixth-best mark in the league during that span. Theyâve racked up big wins versus the Thunder, Raptors and Warriors, and then got revenge in Denver last Sunday for their first victory against the Nuggets this season (1-3), moving Minnesota into fourth place in the Western Conference.
Letâs break down five reasons why theyâre making a push in the west:
1. Ant-Man
The NBAâs third-leading scorer at a career-high 29.7 points per game has taken his game to another level in Year 6. Edwards is posting career-best stats in several categories, including field goals made (10.3) and attempted (20.9), field goal percentage (49.3), 3-point percentage (40.2), effective field goal percentage (57.6), true shooting percentage (61.7), free throws made (5.6) and attempted (7.1), individual offensive rating (118.6) and turnover ratio (9.2).
Edwards is second behind only Luka DonÄiÄâs nine games of 40+ points, with seven such outings. In six games post-All-Star break appearances, heâs averaging 30.8 ppg on 49.6% shooting with games of 41, 40, 34 and 31 in that stretch.
When the game is on the line, Edwards answers the call. Out of 116 players with at least 20 clutch games played this season, Ant ranks second in scoring at 5.9 points on 56.0 /36.1/ 82.1 shooting splits. Only reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores more in clutch time (6.6 ppg).
2. Efficient offense
The Timberwolves are fourth in scoring (119.1 ppg), third in overall FG% (48.4), fifth in 3P% (37.4), ninth in OFFRTG (116.5) and NETRTG (4.3), fourth in eFG% (56.4) and fifth in TS% (59.5).
Edwards is certainly an integral part of Minnesotaâs dynamic offense. Still, Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Jaden McDaniels have played a huge role in the improvements this team has made since 2024-25.
In terms of individual offensive efficiency, Randleâs on/off-court splits stand out the most. When heâs on the court, the Wolves have an OFFRTG of 118.7 (best) compared to 106.4 (worst) when heâs off, a 12.3 differential.
After averaging 18.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.7 apg and 0.7 spg with a +2.4 plus-minus on 48.5% shooting in 69 appearances during his first year in Minnesota, Randle has improved those numbers to 21.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.4 apg and 1.1 spg with a +3.7 plus-minus on 48.4% shooting on more volume across 61 games in year two.
3. Imposing defense
Although not as staunch on defense as they were a year ago, the Wolves are still among the ten best units in the NBA in 2025-26. Theyâre currently 13th in opponentsâscoring (114.6 ppg), but rank seventh in average point differential at -4.6, and theyâre active in passing lanes (8.8 spg, 9th) and imposing around the basket (5.7 bpg, 4th).
When looking at advanced metrics, Minnesota is ninth in DEFRTG (112.3) and total rebounding percentage (50.3), tenth in opponentâs FG% (46.2), seventh in opponentâs eFG% (53.2) and fast break points allowed (14.5), and eighth in opponentâs second chance scoring (14.2).
The Timberwolvesâpillar in the middle, Rudy Gobert, is fourth in rebounding (11.5 rpg) and sixth in blocks (1.6 bpg) among qualified players, and heâs a big reason the Wolves are fourth in defended FG% (59.8) less than six feet from the basket.
Add in rising two-way wing Jaden McDaniels, whoâs averaging a career-high 15.2 ppg and 1.1 bpg in addition to 1.1 spg, itâs no surprise theyâre posting another great year on the defensive end.
4. Good health
As one of the three takeaways from John Schuhmannâs latest Power Rankings for Week 20, where Minnesota has climbed to No. 7, itâs important to note that good health and continuity have been a major factor in their late push up the standings.
Among their top six players in minutes played this season âEdwards, Randle, McDaniels, Naz Reid, DiVincenzo and Gobert âhave only missed a combined 17 games out of 61 up to this point. Ant has missed the most with 10, while DiVincenzo and Randle have suited up for every contest, which leads us into our fifth and final reason.
5. Continuity and experience
If you havenât been paying attention to the NBA over the last few years, thereâs a chance you missed the fact that the Timberwolves have been to two straight Western Conference Finals. The core of those teams is largely still intact.
Still, making back-to-back WCF appearances is no small feat, and Minnesota is hoping another year of experience for their talented group, led by Edwards, will be enough to get them over the hump and into the franchiseâs first-ever NBA Finals berth.
The starting lineup of Edwards, Gobert, Randle, DiVincenzo, and McDaniels has played the most minutes (621) and games (47) together. This iteration of the Wolves has been battle-tested, and it should only help them once rotations tighten and the intensity of the postseason arrives.
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