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Chris Hine

Reporter | Timberwolves
Phone: 612-673-4023

Chris Hine is the Timberwolves reporter at the Star Tribune.


Chris Hine was the Star Tribune's sports analytics reporter before taking over the Wolves beat, He previously spent eight years covering college sports and the Chicago Blackhawks for the Chicago Tribune. He is an amateur piano player and songwriter in his spare time and has an unhealthy obsession with the music of Carole King. He is a 2009 graduate of the University of Notre Dame.
Recent content from Chris Hine
Former Minnehaha Academy star Chet Holmgren of the Thunder, who shot over Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic in a game last week, has helped Oklahoma City get

Top of the West: Holmgren returns home with Thunder to face Wolves

The final in-season tournament game for the Wolves in the group stage doubles as a matchup of the top two teams in the Western Conference.
Warriors forward Dario Saric was in trouble as the Wolves’ Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns thwarted him Nov. 14 in San Francisco.

The Wolves needed a year to fashion an elite NBA defense. How did it happen?

Wolves head coach Chris Finch, assistant Elston Turner and center Rudy Gobert have built one of the league's top-ranked defenses.
Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22), seen Friday in Memphis, Tenn., is averaging 24.3 points as his team faces injuries and Ja Morant’s suspension.

Wolves-Grizzlies preview: Morant's suspension gives Minnesota advantage

Chris Hine's analysis: The Wolves, coming off their first home loss, should have the chance to pick up one of their easiest road wins of the season at Memphis.
Kings guard Malik Monk gestured after making a 3-point basket during the first half Friday against the Wolves.

Wolves lose first home game of the season, 124-111 to Sacramento

The Wolves labored on offense much of Friday night's NBA in-season tournament game, especially in the third quarter when they scored just 15 points.
Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson was defended by Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama in Minnesota’s 117-110 victory in the team’s first game in the N

With win tonight, Wolves clinch spot in NBA knockout round. Then what?

Beating Sacramento at Target Center would guarantee the Timberwolves a spot among the final eight teams in the NBA's first in-season tournament.
Timberwolves guard Mike Conley defended against high-scoring Kings guard De’Aaron Fox in Sacramento last March. Fox is averaging 29.2 points this se

Timberwolves-Kings preview: Trying to contain the Fox-Sabonis duo

The Wolves, 7-0 at home this season, have the size and athleticism to slow down the De'Aaron Fox-Domantas Sabonis pairing.
The Wolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns shot over the 76ers’ Paul Reed during the first quarter Wednesday night at Target Center.

Wolves defeat Embiid-less 76ers, are off to franchise-best 11-3 start

The Timberwolves improved to 11-3, including 7-0 at home, with a 112-99 win Wednesday night over Philadelphia, which was without Joel Embiid (hip).
Joel Embiid will sit out tonight’s game at Target Center.

Timberwolves-76ers game preview: MVP Embiid will not play tonight

Chris Hine's breakdown: The Wolves already have knocked off some elite teams at home this season, in Boston and Denver. Without Joel Embiid, the Sixers are the underdogs.
Jaden McDaniels held his right leg after being injured during Monday night’s game at Target Center.

Wolves' McDaniels likely to miss 2-3 weeks because of ankle injury

Jaden McDaniels, the Wolves' best perimeter defender, sprained his right ankle early in Monday's win over the Knicks.
Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots the game-winning basket with 5.2 seconds remaining against New Orleans on Saturday.

Timberwolves look to maintain home winning streak against Knicks

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson will pose a threat. The Wolves are 5-0 at home this season and will play three straight and five of their next six at Target Center.
Jaden McDaniels guarded the Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram during the Wolves’ 121-120 victory Saturday night in New Orleans.

Wolves winning close games this season. What's been so different?

Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert were discussing Saturday's one-point comeback win over the Pelicans — and agreed it was a game that they were unlikely to have won last season.
Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns went to the basket against Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, left, in the first half in New Orleans on Saturday.

Wolves scrape past Pelicans 121-120 behind Towns' 29 points

Karl-Anthony Towns' running shot with 5.2 seconds remaining gave the Wolves the lead after New Orleans led for most of the night.
Karl Anthony-Towns

As documentary producer, Towns wants to continue to 'use my platform'

Karl-Anthony Towns lent his time and resources to a film about ways technology can help those with developmental disabilities who are trapped in the criminal justice system.
Zion Williamson will be back in the Pelicans lineup on Saturday night.

Timberwolves-Pelicans preview: Broadcast info, stats and analysis

Chris Hine's breakdown: The Wolves are the healthier team, and they will come in the fresher team on two days' rest.
Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie, center, drives between Karl-Anthony Towns and Shakes Milton during the first half.

Wolves seven-game winning streak crashes in lopsided loss to Suns

There were indicators early in the Timberwolves' 133-115 loss to the Suns that it wasn't going to be Minnesota's night. One came courtesy of a former teammate.
Warriors forward Draymond Green was suspended for five games by the NBA on Wednesday for putting a choke hold on Wolves center Rudy Gobert during a fi

Green suspended 5 games after scuffle; 'peacemaker' Gobert fined

Three players were fined, including Wolves center Rudy Gobert, who plans to appeal because game officials said he acted as a peacemaker during Tuesday's Wolves-Warriors game.
Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson, front, and Draymond Green, back, get into an altercation with Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert early in the fir

'Clown behavior.' Gobert blasts Warriors' Green for choke hold

Rudy Gobert said his main goal in the altercation early in Tuesday's win over the Warriors was not to get ejected. He succeeded, and the Timberwolves went on to win 104-101.
Warriors guard Klay Thompson, front, and forward Draymond Green, left, got into an altercation with Wolves center Rudy Gobert, back, and forward Jaden

Three ejected early, Wolves rally late past Warriors for 7th straight win

The Timberwolves knew the Warriors were going to be physical in the second game in three nights between the teams. Jaden McDaniels and two Warriors were kicked out less than two minutes into the game.
In the first 10 games of the season, the Suns’ Kevin Durant (35) has averaged 30 points. It appears he’ll play with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal

Tough back-to-back as Wolves go from San Francisco to Phoenix

Wednesday's game comes on the heels of Tuesday's in-season tournament contest win over the Warriors.
Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins and Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards battled during Sunday night’s game.

Curry won't play as Warriors meet Wolves tonight for in-season tournament game

Wolves guard Anthony Edwards was the NBA's Western Conference player of the week as the team won four games, including at Golden State on Sunday.
Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates with guard Mike Conley (10) after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second half.

Conley drops game-changing idea on Edwards near end of Wolves win

When veteran point guard Mike Conley came back into the game for the final minutes, he had some advice — a command, really — for Anthony Edwards that changed the flow of the game.
The Wolves’ Anthony Edwards, right, stretched to try to strip the ball from the Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins during the first half Sunday night.

Wolves learn winning lessons, surge past Warriors for sixth straight

Anthony Edwards scored 33, Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 14 rebounds, and the Wolves overcame 38 from Steph Curry to improve to 7-2 this season.
Golden State guard Stephen Curry has been one of the NBA’s leading scorers this season.

Wolves-Warriors game preview: Another early test for Wolves vs. Curry

Chris Hine's breakdown: The Wolves look to repeat one of their best wins of last season, when they beat the Warriors 99-96.
Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs shot over Knicks defenders on Wednesday night.

Timberwolves-Spurs preview: Wolves get their first look at 'Wemby'

Chris Hine's analysis: The Wolves could show a sign of growth with a road victory against a team that has lost three in a row.
Karl-Anthony Towns of the Wolves headed to the basket during a game Wednesday night at Target Center against the Pelicans.

Wolves begin NBA in-season tourney Friday. Here's how it works.

The Wolves are in a group with Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Golden State and Sacramento.
Amen Thompson of Houston drove against San Antonio’s Tre Jones (33) with Victor Wembanyama ready to help during an October preseason game.

Apple Valley's Tre Jones on his huge new teammate, new role for Spurs

Tre Jones says it's like having a cheat code to be playing point guard with 7-foot-4 rookie prodigy Victor Wembanyama on the floor. "Very exciting times for our organization," Jones said
The Wolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points) reacted after he made a three-pointer Wednesday night against New Orleans at Target Center. Minnesota won

Sign of change: Wolves take care of business, blast shorthanded Pelicans

Playing against an opponent without several key players, the Timberwolves didn't fall back into last season-s form — when they lost too many games against teams they should have beaten.
With two star teammates sidelined, Brandon Ingram will have extra pressure for the Pelicans tonight at Target Center.

Timberwolves-Pelicans game preview: Zion Williamson won't play tonight

Chris Hine's breakdown: The Wolves continue to lead the NBA in defensive efficiency, although they are prone to fast-break baskets.
Jaden McDaniels defended Boston’s Jayson Tatum during overtime on Monday night.

McDaniels recovers, Gobert brings heat in Wolves win over Celtics

Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert were at their best when they needed to be on Monday. For McDaniels, that meant rallying from a slow start to make key plays on both ends of the floor.
Jordan McLaughlin missed 35 games last season and is now out for the Wolves with an MCL sprain.

McLaughlin sidelined as Wolves suffer season's first significant injury

Jordan McLaughlin will be reevaluated in four weeks. He had appeared in five of six games to start the year after missing 35 games last season.
Anthony Edwards excelled in overtime to lead the Wolves past the Celtics — scoring eight of his 38 points.

Edwards takes control, scores 38 as Wolves send Celtics to first loss in OT

The Target Center crowd was in a frenzy, and nobody thrives on a raucous home audience like Anthony Edwards, whose string of baskets in overtime boosted the Timberwolves to their third straight win.
The Wolves’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker (right) and Kyle Anderson double-teamed Utah forward Kelly Olynyk on Saturday. The Wolves have the top-rated de

Timberwolves-Celtics game preview: broadcast info, odds and analysis

Chris Hine's analysis: The Wolves have been playing exceptional defense so far this season, but they'll be pushed even farther by the 5-0 Celtics.
Wolves guard Anthony Edwards isn’t passing up any high-percentage shots such as this dunk against Utah on Saturday, but he’s less concerned about

Wolves' Edwards changes approach to scoring in more ways than one

Anthony Edwards said he is trying to focus less on how many points he scores. And he's doing something, which appears to be helping, that runs counter to current basketball wisdom.
Lauri Markkanen was a Wolves draft pick before being traded to Chicago, and is now a standout forward for the Utah Jazz.

Timberwolves-Jazz game preview: broadcast info, odds and analysis

Chris Hine's analysis: The Wolves lead the NBA in defensive efficiency, but can they avoid the kind of letdown that has hampered them the past two seasons?
Karl Anthony Towns steals the ball from Nikola Jokic in the first quarter.

Cold-shooting KAT finds another way to help Wolves thump Nuggets

Karl-AnthonyTowns is still adjusting to playing the power forward position, and looking to find the best way to fit in with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert
The Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards dunked the ball Wednesday night during Minnesota’s 110-89 win over Denver. Edwards scored 24 points.

Wolves bite hard start to finish, blast defending champ Nuggets by 21

Unlike two nights earlier, there was no second-half collapse as the Wolves, helped by Mike Conley, picked up a 110-89 win over Denver. Afterward, Anthony Edwards shared his special nickname for the veteran point guard.,
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver handed the Finals MVP award to Denver’s Nikola Jokic after the Nuggets won the championship June 12.

Denver's ruthless efficiency will be hard for Wolves to combat

Denver has begun its title defense with a fast start and a 4-0 record. The Wolves still need to show they can play well for four quarters.
Anthony Edwards is leading the Timberwolves in scoring, but he didn’t have an answer for why the team has been inconsistent offensively.

In bad loss to Atlanta, hero ball by KAT and Edwards hurt Wolves

How can a team that played such beautiful offensive basketball in the first half against Atlanta look so miserable in the second half? Old habits die hard.
Jalen Johnson of the Hawks soared to block a shot by Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in the second half Monday in Atlanta.

After blowing big lead, Gobert says Wolves 'were like a high school team'

The Wolves scored 79 points in the first half and looked to be cruising against Atlanta. But everything fell apart in the second half of the 127-113 loss.
Hawks star Trae Young jumped to shoot a basket during the first half Sunday night in Milwaukee, a game Atlanta won 127-110.

Wolves have prime opportunity to even their road record tonight

Chris Hine's analysis: With Hawks on second half of a back-to-back, Wolves can take advantage.
Rudy Gobert, left, Anthony Edwards and Jordan McLaughlin offered a preview of the Wolves’ defensive potential during the preseason.

Could Wolves have the best defense in the NBA? Gobert says yes.

Rudy Gobert's improved condition plus the Wolves' perimeter defender makeup means their defensive outlook is promising.
Timberwolves center Naz Reid wound up for a shot against Miami center Bam Adebayo in the first half Saturday at Target Center.

Reid drops 25 points for Wolves in 106-90 home victory over Heat

Naz Reid kept the home crowd cheering throughout the night, playing so well that coach Chris Finch never bothered re-entering Karl-Anthony Towns after Towns checked out with 9 minutes, 34 seconds remaining in the game.
Scottie Barnes of the Raptors tried to keep the ball from Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards on Wednesday in Toronto.

Timberwolves vs. Heat game preview: Will Wolves offense up their game?

Chris Hine's breakdown: The Wolves played their best against stronger teams last season, and the Heat will be a major challenge.
Two portraits, two stars: Anthony Edwards on the left, Karl-Anthony Towns on right.

Is it KAT's team? Or Ant's Team? And does this Wolves debate still matter?

It does matter, and Connelly has already answered the question. But the right mix of talent and bonding is in place to win big with both.
Mike Conley (10) is set to be a free agent after the season but Karl-Anthony Towns (32), Rudy Gobert (27), Anthony Edwards (1) and Jaden McDaniels (3)

With big checks written, Wolves next have bigger decisions to make

Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards have their big contracts now. What's harder to forecast is how (and when) all this spending will catch up to the Wolves in their roster decisions. Here's a guide to the numbers.
The Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, right, battled the Raptors’ Pascal Siakam on Wednesday night. Edwards tied a career high with 14 rebounds in th

In defeat, this Edwards statistic is good sign for Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards said he was committed to grabbing more rebounds this season. He showed grit by collecting a career-high-tying 14 in Wednesday's loss.
The Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns caught the Raptors’ O.G. Anunoby in the face with the ball on a drive to the basket during the second half We

Bad decisions, 'sticky' offense send Wolves to opening-night loss

Bad shot selection led to Toronto fast breaks throughout a game in which the Timberwolves showed some of the same problems that held them back last season.
Jaden McDaniels defended Luca Doncic of the Mavericks during a preseason game earlier this month.

How did Jaden McDaniels celebrate his $136 million contract? At Olive Garden.

There were anxious moments before the deal got done followed by a celebration during which the Wolves forward went heavy on the breadsticks.
Anthony Edwards reacts after hitting a shot late in the fourth quarter of a game last season.

Season 4: The year Ant becomes a superstar? Find out starting tonight.

Preparing for his fourth season in the NBA, Anthony Edwards worked hard to rid himself of habits that stood in the way of his progress. Will it work? The answers start coming at tonight's opener in Toronto.
Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) defended Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. during a game in Toronto on March 18 last season.

Wolves season opener preview: McDaniels out; Year 2 of KAT and Rudy starts now

Timberwolves-Raptors game preview: Stats, injury report, odds, analysis
The Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards (1) faced the Warriors’ Steph Curry (30) on Feb. 1 at Target Center. The two teams are both in West Group C for

NBA's new in-season tournament: How does this thing work?

The Wolves will compete against the Thunder, Spurs, Warriors and Kings through designated regular-season games.
Anthony Edwards didn’t play in a preseason game Oct. 17, but it’s a safe bet he’ll be suited up for all or nearly all regular-season games start

NBA's new resting rules may only get shrug from the Wolves. Here's why

Anthony Edwards has been as outspoken as any player about the need for star players to suit up. The new league rules start with Tuesday's openers and will have an impact on Edwards and two of his teammates.
Jaden McDaniels guards Utah’s Collin Sexton t season.

Wolves reward McDaniels with $136 million deal; salary cap issues ahead

After signing Anthony Edwards earlier this offseason, getting an extension done with Jaden McDaniels was a top priority, even as it raises questions about how the team will manage its roster in the future.
Wolves stars Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony Towns watched a preseason game on Oct. 17 at Target Center. This season, the NBA is trying to limit the game

Three areas to watch as Wolves open the 2023-24 season

Expectations are sky high for the Timberwolves, but changes are necessary if they're going to improve off a first-round exit in the playoffs last season.
Nikola Jokic (15) and the Denver Nuggets won the NBA title in June by beating Jimmy Butler (22) and the Miami Heat.

NBA power rankings: Where do the Wolves stand?

Defending league champion Denver heads a strong contingent of teams in the Western Conference. In the East, it's the Bucks leading the way.
Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert: Retreating from darkness and into the spotlight again

Gobert had a tumultuous first season with the Wolves, who acquired him in a trade after nine seasons in Utah. By his own admission, he didn't live up to his standards.
Daishen Nix played for the Rockets against the Wolves last season at Target Center.

Wolves make roster moves, have one spot open in advance of opener

The Timberwolves finalized some back-end roster moves by waiving Matt Ryan and signing guard Daishen Nix to a two-way deal.
The Timberwolves’ Tyrese Martin (22) dunked the ball in the second quarter Tuesday at Target Center.

Garza scores 30 as Wolves' bench shines in win over Maccabi Ra'anana

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch gave all the playing time to end of bench reserves and those fighting for the final spots on the roster.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker was a surprise defensive standout in the playoffs last year for the Timberwolves, including against Nuggets star Jamal Murray

Alexander-Walker's importance to the Wolves goes beyond defense

If the preseason is any indication, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is going to be an integral part of the Timberwolves rotation, continuing a rapid ascent for the 25-year-old.
Jaden McDaniels went up for the slam when the Wolves faced the Mavericks in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. He’ll likely miss the rest of the preseaso

Timberwolves likely without McDaniels for rest of preseason

The forward is dealing with a left calf issue, but the hope is that he will be ready when the regular season begins.
Knicks star Jalen Brunson went up against Wolves guard Mike Conley during a preseason game Saturday night in New York.

How playing with the Wolves has rejuvenated Conley

The Timberwolves are asking 36-year-old Mike Conley to play with more freedom and look to score more like he used to earlier in his career.
Shake Milton tried to get around Wolves teammate Jordan McLaughlin as the team practiced in Abu Dhabi last week.

Wolves see good fit by adding new guard Milton to team's rotation

Coach Chris Finch has said he'd ideally like to play a nine-man rotation, and the likely ninth player will be one of the new acquisitions from this summer: Shake Milton.
Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was guarded by Josh Green of the Mavericks during a game in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Quiet KAT. What's with the different tone from Karl-Anthony Towns?

The Timberwolves star is usually talkative and detailed in his chats with the media, but so far this preseason Towns has had a different demeanor. He has a nine-word answer to explain why.
Timberwolves guard Mike Conley visited with an Emirati woman during a practice session in Abu Dhabi this week.

Why are Wolves playing in Abu Dhabi amid concerns over 'sportswashing'?

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum on why the league is hosting its second Global Games series in Abu Dhabi and on criticism that the league is helping regimes that are critical of their human rights policies.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Timberwolves passed around Dwight Powell of the Mavericks during Thursday’s preseason game in Abu Dhabi.

Good defense, a strong Wolves debut among three points in preseason win

With Anthony Edwards nursing an injured ankle, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Shake Milton were standouts in a victory over the Mavericks.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said he will be incorporating more structure and play calls this season, which would keep guard Mike Conley busy,

Wolves adopting different approach to jump-start offense this season

The Wolves will be incorporating more structure and set plays at the start of their offense. That comes with some tradeoffs.
Rudy Gobert is a former NBA defensive player of the year.

Heavy on offense, Wolves would like to be known as a defensive team

Rudy Gobert is with the Timberwolves for a second season, and coach Chris Finch hopes the team will be more cohesive this time around.
Getting the connection between Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards clicking again will be key to the Timberwolves’ success this season.

Rekindling chemistry between Towns, Edwards paramount for Wolves in camp

The duo had a strong bond on offense two seasons ago, but their numbers took a dip when Gobert entered the picture.
Minnesota Timberwolves Mike Conley (10), Karl Anthony-Towns (32), Rudy Gobert (27) Anthony Edwards (1) and Jaden McDaniels (3) Sunday, March 2, 2023,

To be taken seriously, Wolves know they must grow up and play seriously

What were the Wolves remembered for last season? A thrown punch on the bench, a player breaking his hand punching a wall, losing to the NBA's weakest teams. That has to change.
The much-anticipated partnership of Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony-Towns didn’t get much chance to gel last year as both players lost playing time wit

Four questions facing the Wolves as training camp opens

A healthy camp and trip to Abu Dhabi will be crucial after injuries derailed the start of last season. Plus, will Jaden McDaniels sign a contract extension?
The Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards will have their radio broadcasts move from WCCO to KFAN this season.

Wolves and Lynx moving to KFAN. Some games will only be streamed.

After leaving WCCO Radio earlier this month, the Wolves made a deal with iHeartRadio to broadcast games on the company's app. Select games will also be broadcast on KFAN.
Matt Ryan, left, played for the Lakers at the start of last season before joining the Timberwolves.

Ryan returns to Timberwolves to compete for roster spot

Guard Matt Ryan split last season between the Lakers and Minnesota, and is in the mix for a two-way contract.
Wolves center Naz Reid models the team’s vintage uniforms.

Wolves will throw it back to 1989 with 'Classic Edition' jersey, court

The original crisp white jerseys will be used this season and Target Center will showcase the original Timberwolves logo to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the franchise.
Daishen Nix has averaged 3.7 points and 2.1 assists in 81 games with the Rockets over the past two seasons.

Timberwolves sign former Houston Rockets guard

With training camp two weeks away, the Wolves got insurance at a key position.
Vit Krejci played in 29 games for Atlanta in 2022-23, averaging 5.7 minutes and 1.2 points.

Wolves sign free-agent forward who's played for Thunder, Hawks

Vit Krejci, who is from the Czech Republic, was drafted by the Wizards with the 37th pick in 2020 and traded to Oklahoma City.