Recent content from Chris Hine

Q&A: Former Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders on Jokic, Ant, KAT
Saunders is seeking an NBA title as he's assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets.

Retreat into darkness: Gobert starts 'best summer' with days of reflection
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert recently took a cue from Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and participated in a darkness retreat, part of a vow to "put myself in positions that I've never put myself in before."

Lynx score only three points in 2nd quarter of 77-66 loss to Chicago
The second quarter of Friday's season-opening loss to the Sky — a mess of missed shots and turnovers — was a jolting wake-up call that this season's planned revamp could be a turbulent one.

What does Anthony Edwards want? It's about winning, chasing the GOAT
After the Timberwolves were eliminated from the playoffs, management said it must keep Anthony Edwards in mind regarding every move it makes. As for Edwards, what he's keeping mind is a grand goal.

Amid Wizards rumors, Connelly doesn't commit to returning to Wolves
In an interview Friday with WCCO radio's Chad Hartman, the Wolves president addressed the vacant Washington Wizards job, which he had interest in previously.

Forget Towns and Gobert. Wolves key offseason moves will be elsewhere
Decisions are coming on two big Timberwolves contract extensions and what to do with a crucial free agent who has attracted attention for improving his game this season.

Which Wolves stay? Who goes? Our player-by-player roster breakdown
Which Timberwolves players will be back when training camp opens? Which Timberwolves do fans want back? Here's our early player-by-player projection of what's ahead.

NBA picks Wolves to play two preseason games in Abu Dhabi
The Timberwolves will take on Dallas as part of a series that has drawn criticism because of "significant human rights violations" in the United Arab Emirates, according to the U.S. State Department.

Pro & con: Why Wolves should trade KAT (and why they shouldn't do it)
Pro: Karl-Anthony Towns' cost is going up, his role is possibly going down. Con: The investment in the pairing of Towns with Rudy Gobert is large, the sample size is small. Read Chris Hine's story and then cast your vote.

McDaniels admits 'dumb mistake.' Wolves will address immaturity
Jaden McDaniels' season ended when he punched a wall in frustration, and he wasn't alone with costly behavior. The Timberwolves know they need to act on their immaturity.

Timberwolves leaders indicate their plan: Tweak it, don't tear it up
"We really, really like our starting five," President Tim Connelly said, and he also called the coaching staff "elite."

If Timberwolves have their way, Reid is on next season's roster
As an unrestricted free agent, Naz Reid will have options, but the Wolves likely will be able to offer more.

Attorney: Edwards will fight misdemeanor assault charge
The attorney for Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards said his client plans to defend himself against a "baseless" charge stemming from a chair incident after the team's Game 5 loss in Denver.

Year 1 of Gobert-Towns experiment: More questions than answers
If there was a common thread throughout the season, the Timberwolves never got a maximized version of Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert or the roster as a whole.

Edwards cited for misdemeanor assault following Wolves' Game 5 loss
Anthony Edwards allegedly swung a chair in frustration after the Wolves were eliminated in the NBA playoffs. A Denver police spokesman said two arena employees were injured.

Season ends when Edwards' shot goes long, Wolves fall short in Denver
After missing a three-pointer that would have sent Game 5 to overtime, Anthony Edwards sprinted directly to the Timberwolves locker room without staying for postgame handshakes and hugs with the winners.

Rivers sees new, expanded role with Timberwolves in playoffs
Timberwolves veteran guard Austin Rivers played 10½ minutes in Game 4 vs. Denver, his longest stint since Feb. 26.
Tuesday's Wolves-Denver Game 5 recap
Wolves stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards were a combined 1-for-12 in three-point shooting Tuesday night.

Shorthanded Wolves down another as Anderson will miss Game 5
Kyle Anderson, a catalyst for the Timberwolves all season, joins Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels as crucial players missing vs. the Nuggets.

Wolves stay alive in OT, hold off Nuggets after blowing late lead
The Timberwolves lead by 12 with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter before Denver tied the game and held off a last-minute overtime rally by the Nuggets thanks to the play of Anthony Edwards.

Alexander-Walker goes from trade add-on to Game 4 hero for Wolves
There's no guarantee Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be back with the Timberwolves next season, but he may have saved this season in overtime of Game 4.
On the brink: Wolves one game from elimination despite 36 by Edwards
Anthony Edwards again showed up in a big way for the Wolves with 36 points, but outside of Karl-Anthony Towns posting 25, he didn't have much help in Game 3, especially from the bench.
Wolves-Denver Game 3 recap
Nikola Jokic had a triple-double while the Nuggets got some critical offense from their bench.

Wolves determined to stop Murray after Game 2 performance
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray dropped 40 points on Minnesota in Wednesday's 122-113 loss and preventing a repeat is a top priority for Game 3.

Can 'ultra-aggressive' Edwards help Wolves turn around playoff series?
Scoring 41 points in Game 2 helped the Timberwolves look better in defeat. The Timberwolves, though, showed they need more than an excellent game from Anthony Edwards to knock off the No. 1-seed Nuggets.

Wolves return to Target Center trailing Nuggets 2-0 in playoff series
The Wolves desperately need a victory in Game 3, but the odds overwhelmingly favor Denver winning the series.

Wolves dig hole, climb out, fall back in during final minutes of defeat
After trailing the Nuggets by 21 points the Timberwolves played a huge third quarter, took the lead in the fourth but couldn't sustain their momentum in Game 2.

Gobert says ailing back was improved going into Game 2
Center Rudy Gobert has been playing through significant pain for the past few games, including a Game 1 loss to the Nuggets on Sunday.
One and done here? Wolves boss will be mentioned for Wizards job
Tim Connelly, the Timberwolves president of basketball operations, is a Baltimore native and began his NBA career in Washington. And the Wizards just fired their team president.

Edwards says Wolves were 'punked' by Nuggets, is blunt about Game 2
A lot of the Wolves' veterans preached the team would not overreact to the Game 1 loss. Anthony Edwards didn't share that mentality when he was asked about tonight's game.

Being open to change helped Turner shape Wolves into Top 10 team on defense
Assistant coach Elston Turner, 63, brought decades of coaching experience to the Timberwolves — and has the confidence to set up a defense based on the talent he has on the roster.

Poor shots were only part of the problem in Wolves' Game 1 debacle
To hear coach Chris Finch and guard Mike Conley break it down, the Timberwolves' issues were deeper than just missing a lot of shots.

Nuggets put stumbling Wolves to sleep with 109-80 blowout in playoff opener
The Timberwolves looked lifeless and dispirited in a bludgeoning at the hands of the Western Conference's top seed. The third quarter was the lowest point in a night of struggles.

For Wolves president, first-round matchup is mix of past and present
After spending nine seasons with the Nuggets, Connelly said it'll be "weird for sure" to return to Denver.

What will playoffs reveal for Wolves about Gobert trade, 'twin towers' strategy?
If the Wolves see great success against Denver with Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns playing together, opinions of the July 1 mega-trade will change in a hurry.

Wolves roll past Thunder 120-95, face No. 1 seed Nuggets in first round of playoffs
There were happy Timberwolves and happy fans, for sure, but the aftermath of Friday night's 120-95 victory over Oklahoma City felt like a needed sigh more than a cause for rejoicing.

Bonus Wolves play-in drama: A battle of cousins at Target Center
Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Wolves is staying at the same hotel that houses the Thunder and his cousin, OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gobert's status for Wolves against Oklahoma City uncertain
Center Rudy Gobert said he probably should have not played against New Orleans because of back spasms and would have not played against the Lakers even if he hadn't been suspended.

When they needed it most, Wolves offense shut down in loss to Lakers
The Timberwolves began this postseason the way they ushered themselves out of the previous one — by relinquishing a double-digit lead in the second half.

Wolves offense disappears late in overtime play-in loss to Lakers
In a game of high drama there were missed shots everywhere, including a six-minute scoreless stretch for Minnesota in the fourth quarter. They'll get another shot to reach the playoffs on Friday at Target Center.

Wolves' Anderson says he and Gobert have moved past quarrel
Center Rudy Gobert was suspended by the team for a game after taking a swing at forward Kyle Anderson in the regular-season finale on Sunday. Anderson says, "We're grown men. We're able to put it behind us."
Gameday preview: Wolves face Lakers with playoff spot on the line
As the postseason begins, the Wolves find themselves shorthanded for the opener without Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid.

McDaniels has broken hand, will be lost to Wolves indefinitely
The starting forward and one of the top defensive players in the NBA broke bones in his right hand punching a wall on Sunday.

Gobert suspended by Timberwolves for Tuesday's play-in game
The Timberwolves suspended center Rudy Gobert for Tuesday's play-in game against the Lakers after Gobert threw a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout in Sunday's win.

'Brutal truth.' Anderson's candor important part of Wolves culture
Kyle Anderson has not been afraid to tell teammates what they might not want to hear about their games. Sunday's confrontation with Rudy Gobert was an example.

Wolves finally take care of business, blow out San Antonio 151-131
The Wolves need to beat New Orleans to secure a top-eight finish in the West — meaning they would only need to win one play-in game instead of two to reach the playoffs.

'Truthfully grateful' Conley reaches 15,000 career points
Veteran point guard Mike Conley, traded to the Wolves this season, is in his 16th NBA season.

Saturday's Timberwolves-San Antonio game recap
The Wolves made a season-high 24 three-pointers against the Spurs.

Final two games will determine Wolves' postseason position
Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to play both games of the back-to-back as the Wolves try to demonstrate some growth.

Wolves challenge: Make more use of Towns as postseason nears
Using Karl-Anthony Towns effectively is a major question, and Tuesday's victory in Brooklyn showed some positive signs for the Timberwolves as they play their final two games of the regular season.

Reid has wrist surgery as Wolves ready for season's final weekend
Naz Reid was averaging 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds, and shooting 53.7% from the floor — and played a bigger role on the Timberwolves as the season progressed.

Wolves end losing streak, edge Nets and make play-in tournament
Following Sunday's woeful loss to tanking Portland, the Wolves used a strong end of the third quarter to pull ahead of the Nets and gain the needed victory.

Wolves' shortcomings in transition defense reappear
Portland scored 25 fast-break points in winning Sunday as the Timberwolves went to a bigger lineup.

Timberwolves' offense lacked flow with Reid out, others struggling
The freewheeling offense coach Chris Finch prefers over set play-calling was a no-show in Friday's loss to the Lakers.

Timberwolves vs. Portland preview: Flu bug still dragging Wolves down
Karl-Anthony Towns, Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards are all feeling the effects.
Sick, injured Wolves run out of gas in loss to Lakers
A Wolves team that had appeared to turn a corner in recent weeks, on both ends of the floor, looked as discombobulated and mistake-prone as it has all season.

Wolves' Naz Reid suffers broken wrist from fall during loss in Phoenix
It's unclear how long Reid will be out or if he may be able to rejoin the Wolves should they make a run in the Western Conference playoffs.

NBA fines Wolves' Gobert and Finch for criticizing officiating
The two made pointed comments after Wednesday's loss to the Suns in Phoenix.

D'Angelo Russell: 'I have nothing bad to say about Minnesota'
The former Timberwolves guard is now with the Los Angeles Lakers, who are battling his former team for NBA playoff position.

Gobert calls Wolves' treatment by refs 'disrespectful' and 'really not fair'
Aside from letting out nearly a season's worth of frustration with his rant about officiating in Wednesday's loss to Phoenix, Rudy Gobert also had a little gamesmanship in his words.

Gobert, Timberwolves grouse about officiating after 107-100 loss to Suns
Center Rudy Gobert was the most vocal about the foul discrepancy — the Suns shot 27 free throws, the Wolves only 12 — and directed sharp criticism toward the officials.
Timberwolves-Phoenix game recap
On a night Kevin Durant struggled, Devin Booker provided the scoring punch for the Suns with 25 points.

Several Wolves players miss game at Phoenix because of illness
Wolves coach Chris Finch termed the illness as an "intestinal flu" that several players are battling.

Finch: Adding Conley means Wolves no longer 'hide players' on defense
Defense and leadership have been hallmarks of Mike Conley's career, and coach Chris Finch made a thinly veiled comparison between the Timberwolves' new point guard and the one traded last month.

Lore, Rodriguez now own 40% of Timberwolves, Lynx
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez are on track to assume majority ownership by next year from Glen Taylor.

Back-to-back gems: Balanced Wolves top Kings in playoff atmosphere
In front of a raucous Sacramento crowd cheering for the Kings to clinch a playoff spot, Minnesota had seven score in double figures to grab a key win without Karl-Anthony Towns.

Towns sits vs. Kings as Wolves stay cautious in return from injury
The Wolves center is pausing for "injury management" but Anthony Edwards was in the lineup for the second night of a back-to-back.

KAT strikes again: End-game three boosts Wolves over Warriors 99-96
The Wolves ended a 12-game losing streak to the Warriors on the road thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns playing hero for the second time in the two games since his return to play.