After working them hard for all but one day since training camp started nearly two weeks ago, Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders called for a 10:30 a.m. practice Sunday morning.

When they showed up ready to work, he canceled practice and took them all to the Vikings' 17-3 loss to Detroit at TCF Bank Stadium.

Well, he had good intentions anyway …

It's all part of Saunders' efforts at team building, which so far have included such little touches as bringing a magician to training camp for entertainment to handing out physically a key to the player whose practice habits at camp better embodied that day's designated word — compete, execution, etc. — that's a key to success.

Get it?

Players, coaches and staff watched Sunday's game from Gophers coach Jerry Kill's suite. Teammates Ricky Rubio, Gorgui Dieng and Anthony Bennett all tweeted photos from the game. Mo Williams and Shabazz Muhammad did, too.

Muhammad sent out a photo of his legs and feet propped up against a second-deck railing with the caption "Suite life with the team!! #teambonding" while Williams noted his coach surprised players with no practice and an NFL game instead and added "#weunited" at the end.

Back to work

The Wolves will return to practice Monday to prepare for a preseason schedule that resumes at 7 p.m. Friday against Milwaukee in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Expect Saunders to emphasis defense — particularly their pick-and-roll defense — now that the Wolves have the chance to concentrate on practice again.

"I told the guys we have three guys we almost have to send to Gamblers Anonymous in Corey Brewer, Rubio and Thaddeus Young," Saunders said, referring to three players among the league leaders in steals a season ago. "We have to get them to use calculated risks and not do it all the time."

Etc.

• Muhammad (sore Achilles) could return to practice Monday after being bothered by it for two practice days and Friday's game against Philadelphia, in which he didn't play. Veteran guard Kevin Martin (groin) is less likely to do the same, but Saunders expects him to return to practice sometime this week and could play Friday.

• Saunders on newcomers Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine's preseason play so far: "The thing about rookies is they're up and down. It's like the Dow (Jones Industrial Average). Hopefully, they won't be like the Dow's been the past couple days."

Staff Writer Kent Youngblood contributed to this report.