Now all Andrew Wiggins has to do is do it again.

In the Timberwolves' 113-101 loss to Sacramento on Saturday at Target Center, Wiggins had the best game of his short career. He scored 29 points — the most by a rookie this season and the fourth-most by a teenager in Wolves history. Wiggins scored 20 of those points in the second half, 11 in the fourth quarter.

Wiggins played aggressively and got to the free-throw line 10 times — Wolves coach Flip Saunders felt he should have gotten more calls — making nine. The 29 points pushed Wiggins into first place in scoring among rookies. Wiggins, who has averaged 18.3 points over his past three games, is now averaging 12.5 points, ahead of Milwaukee's Jabari Parker (11.6).

But the key is how Wiggins responds to the breakthrough games.

Saunders has said it a few times when it comes to his young players — how will they respond to good games? Will they take another step?

"Can he bounce off that?" Saunders said.

Wiggins' recent games show an upward trend. Another step Wiggins took Friday was maintaining a high level of play while playing extensive minutes. He played the first 19 minutes of the game and finished with a game-high 41:11.

"What was good about the 41 was that we're trying to teach him to push himself," Saunders said. "That's always been something that everyone's questioned, his ability to push through. Keep on pushing through. {Saturday] it was good to see him push through it, trying to get steals, picking up full court, those are positives we want to see."

After the game Wiggins downplayed the effort, saying it didn't mean as much in a losing cause. But in a season in which development is important, the Wolves were encouraged to see Wiggins' play improve as the game went on despite heavy minutes.

"He was aggressive, he made his free throws," teammate Anthony Bennett said. "The only place for him to go is up."

Finding a rhythm

The Wolves' injury situation has afforded small forward Chase Budinger more minutes, and he appears to be finding a shooting rhythm. Saturday he scored a season-high 11 points on 3-for-6 shooting, making both of his three-point attempts.

He has hit at least one three-pointer in five consecutive games.

"I thought Chase played well," Saunders said. "He played within what he was trying to do. He made some shots, did some nice things for us. He made some strides defensively."

For Budinger, it has taken some time to find his spot in the Wolves' offense with so many new players on the roster.

"It's all about just trying to find your spots out there offensively," he said. "I'm trying to get used to this new team, figuring out where I'm going to get my shots."

Etc.

• Point guard Mo Williams has responded to increased played time as well. Saturday he had his second double-double in three games with 11 points and 12 assists. In that three-game span Williams is averaging 13.3 points and 9.7 assists.