On New Year's Eve, the Timberwolves lost by 12 points at home to the Detroit Pistons, the worst team in the Eastern Conference, to fall a season-worst five games under .500.
Following a 128-98 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night at Target Center, the Wolves are 29-27, having won four of six on their just-concluded homestand. They are 13-6 in the new year.
Last season, the Wolves found themselves at 16-20 early in January, then won 30 of their last 46 games before winning a play-in game.
There have been many dramatic developments in Chris Finch's Timberwolves coaching tenure.
The trade for Rudy Gobert and its accompanying roster upheaval. The rise of Anthony Edwards. An injury to Karl-Anthony Towns that has limited him to 21 games and now appears likely to keep him out until late February or March. A change in general managers.
What has remained a constant in the last two seasons has been Finch's ability to improve a team in the flow of a season.
That's a rare and vital skill, and could mean everything to this year's team. Or next year's.
Lynx and Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve, in a recent conversation, said: "Finch is good," with admiration in her voice.