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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
Denver assistant coach Ryan Saunders was acknowledged by the Target Center crowd before a game against the Wolves last season.

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.
Rudy Gobert did not have the season that was expected of him when the Timberwolves acquired him last year. He expects 2023-24 to be different.

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."
Rookie  Lynx forward Dorka Juhasz  goes up for a shot Friday night at Target Center.

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.
Anthony Edwards was introduced before a Timberwolves game last season.

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.
Tim Connelly

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.
The biggest offseason contract questions for the Wolves swirl around Naz Reid (left), Jaden McDaniels (top right) and Anthony Edwards (bottom right).

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.
Alex Rodriguez and the other Timberwolves bosses will bring back Rudy Gobert ... and who else?

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.
Etihad Area on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi

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.
Karl-Anthony Towns took questions Thursday during the Wolves’ exit interviews.

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.
The Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels talked Thursday about the painful end to his season.

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 President Tim Connelly indicated that tweaks were ahead for the Wolves and not an overhaul.

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."
The Timberwolves have some salary-cap space that could help them retain center Naz Reid, who is an unrestricted free agent.

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.
Anthony Edwards (1) and his attorney plan to fight misdemeanor charges that resulted from his handling of a chair Tuesday.

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.
Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony-Towns completed their first year together with the Timberwolves, but there’s still a lot to learn how they can function

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.
Anthony Edwards during the second half of Tuesday night’s Game 5 loss by the Timberwolves.

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.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards sits on the bench during a timeout in the second half of Game 5 of the team's NBA basketball first-round

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.
Austin Rivers scored five points for the Timberwolves in their Game 4 victory over Denver.

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

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.
Kyle Anderson of the Wolves tried to block a shot by Denver’s Jeff Green during Sunday’s game at Target Center.

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.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) celebrate the win against Denver in Minneapolis, Mi

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.
Wolves-Denver Game 4 recap

Wolves-Denver Game 4 recap

Anthony Edwards made sure his team lived to see another day.
Guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker played a combined 6 minutes, 12 seconds in his first three games for the Timberwolves, but he’s become a starter in t

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.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards poured in 36 points in Game 3 but faces elimination from the playoffs with Denver up 3-0 in the series.

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

Wolves-Denver Game 3 recap

Nikola Jokic had a triple-double while the Nuggets got some critical offense from their bench.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) scored 40 points in Game 2 against the Timberwolves  on Wednesday in Denver.

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.
Anthony Edwards tumbled into the front row after hitting a three-pointer in Denver during Game 2.

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.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch argued with a referee during Wednesday night’s Game 2 loss.

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.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts during the closing seconds in Game 2 of the team's NBA basketball first-round playoff series again

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.
Wolves center Rudy Gobert has been playing through back pain for the past several games, but he said a few days off after Game 1 against the Nuggets o

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.
Timberwolves-Denver Game 2 recap

Timberwolves-Denver Game 2 recap

A quick look back at Wednesday night's game in Denver.
Tim Connelly joined the Timberwolves last year after a successful run in Denver.

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.
Wolves guard Anthony Edwards tried to drive past the Nuggets’ Jamal Murray in Game 1 on Sunday. Coach Chris Finch wants Edwards to be aggressive.

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.
Wolves assistant coach Elston Turner, who  helped improve the team’s defense, gestured during a March game at Target Center.

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.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Michael Porter of the Nuggets celebrated a basket as Wolves coach Chris Finch called a timeout Monday night.

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.
Wolves forward Kyle Anderson, left, got in a scuffle with the Nuggets’ Christian Braun in the second half Sunday night in Denver. “I was obviously

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.
Jamal Murray of the Nuggets drove against the Timberwolves’ Kyle Anderson during the second quarter on Sunday night in Denver.

Timberwolves-Nuggets Game 1 recap

It was not a pretty way to begin the postseason for the Wolves.
Tim Connelly spent nine seasons with Denver, the Wolves’ first-round playoff opponents.

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.
The Minnesota twin towns — Karl-Anthony Towns, center, and Rudy Gobert — celebrated after beating Oklahoma City on Friday night.

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.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacted after he hit a three-point shot in the third quarter Friday night at Target Center.

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.
Timberwolves-Oklahoma City play-in recap

Timberwolves-Oklahoma City play-in recap

A quick look at Friday night's rout.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, then with New Orleans, guarded his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during a game during the 2020-21 season.

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.
Wolves center Rudy Gobert, above trying to block a shot against Boston last month, hopes to be ready to play against Oklahoma City on Friday. He is su

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.
Wolves guard Mike Conley said the Lakers’ switches bothered his team Tuesday night in an overtime loss in Los Angeles.

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.
Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns drove through a sea of Lakers during the first half of an NBA play-in game in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

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.
The Timberwolves’ Kyle Anderson (5) and Rudy Gobert “hashed it out,” according to Anderson, after the two of them had words during Sunday’s ga

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."
LeBron James averaged 29.8 points per game this season, the fifth highest mark of his 20 year NBA career.

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.
Jaden McDaniels of the Wolves warmed up before Sunday’s game at Target Center.

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.
Rudy Gobert

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.
Rudy Gobert (27) and Kyle Anderson (5) reached for a rebound during a game at Atlanta last month.

'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.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards scored between Spurs center Gorgui Dieng and guard Tre Jones during the first half Saturday in Austin, Texas.

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.
Wolves coach Chris Finch spoke with guards Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley on Saturday, when Conley scored 20 points to reach 15,002 for his career.

'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.
Wolves guard Anthony Edwards celebrated after scoring against the Spurs during the first half Saturday.

Saturday's Timberwolves-San Antonio game recap

The Wolves made a season-high 24 three-pointers against the Spurs.
The Wolves have lost two of three games this season against the Spurs, one of the worst teams in the league.

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.
Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was noticeably more effective on Tuesday in Brooklyn after the team tweaked its offensive strategies.

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.
Naz Reid of the Wolves had successful wrist surgery on Wednesday.

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.
Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker drove to the basket against Nets forward Joe Harris during the first half Tuesday

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.
Portland guard Shaq Harrison broke past the Timberwolves defense for a shot during the first half the Trail Blazers’ victory on Sunday.

Wolves' shortcomings in transition defense reappear

Portland scored 25 fast-break points in winning Sunday as the Timberwolves went to a bigger lineup.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said the ball got “sticky,” with too little ball movement, in Friday night’s loss to the Lakers.

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.
Portland guard Anfernee Simons, left, shooting over New York forward Julius Randle on March 14, averages 21.1 points per game.

Timberwolves vs. Portland preview: Flu bug still dragging Wolves down

Karl-Anthony Towns, Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards are all feeling the effects.
Friday's Timberwolves-Lakers game recap

Friday's Timberwolves-Lakers game recap

A quick look at Friday night's game.
Lakers forward Anthony Davis dunks the ball against the Timberwolves in the fourth quarter Friday.

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.
Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) missed a dunk as Phoenix center Bismack Biyombo (18) defended Wednesday. Reid fell to the court and fractured his wr

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.
Wolves coach Chris Finch disputed a call during Sunday’s game against Golden State.

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 is averaging 18.5 points in 12 games with the Lakers. The team has gone 8-4 since his arrival.

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.
Suns forward Josh Okogie, right, was fouled by Wolves center Rudy Gobert during Phoenix’s victory on Wednesday night.

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.
Wolves guard Anthony Edwards had his shot blocked by Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half Wednesday. Despite Edwards’ game-high 31 points

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

Timberwolves-Phoenix game recap

On a night Kevin Durant struggled, Devin Booker provided the scoring punch for the Suns with 25 points.
Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince, above right against Toronto in January, missed Monday’s game because of an illness and now it has spread to sev

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.
Mike Conley (10) gaurds Sacramento star De’Aaron Fox during a game earlier this month.

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.
At a news conference in 2021, new Wolves owners Alex Rodriguez, left, and Marc Lore talked about their purchase from Glen Taylor, right.

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.
Kings forward Domantas Sabonis was defended by Wolves center Rudy Gobert in the first quarter Monday night.

Timberwolves-Sacramento game recap

A quick look at Monday night's game.
Anthony Edwards worked around a Naz Reid screen in the first half against the Kings on Monday in Sacramento.

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.
Karl-Anthony Towns played 32 minutes and hit the game-winning three-pointer against the Warriors on Sunday night.

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.
The Wolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns stunned Golden State fans and thrilled teammates including Mike Conley (10) after his game-winning three-pointer with

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.
Wolves forward Kyle Anderson lost his footing during the first quarter Sunday in San Francisco.

Timberwolves-Golden State game recap

A quick look at Sunday night's game.