Recent content from Chris Hine

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.

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.

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.

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.

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-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.
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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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' 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.

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?

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

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.,

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wolves season opener preview: McDaniels out; Year 2 of KAT and Rudy starts now
Timberwolves-Raptors game preview: Stats, injury report, odds, analysis

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 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.

Timberwolves sign former Houston Rockets guard
With training camp two weeks away, the Wolves got insurance at a key position.

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.