Host Michael Rand went late, late, late with a special edition of the podcast after a 120-95 victory by Timberwolves over Oklahoma City in Friday's win-or-go-home play-in game at Target Center.
Special Delivery: How the Timberwolves thumped the Thunder to return to the playoffs
In a bonus episode of the "Daily Delivery" podcast, host Michael Rand looks at what the Wolves did to make back-to-back NBA playoff appearances for the first time in nearly two decades.
April 15, 2023 at 2:08PM
![Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) shot around the defense of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Dario Saric (9) in the third quarter. The Minnesota Timberwolves faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament game Friday night, April 14, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis. ] RENÉE JONES SCHNEIDER • renee.jones@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GVLAQG5LVPOTWPTA4HHREVEVQA.jpg?&w=712)
What it means: The Wolves are in the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2003 and 2004; they will open their series Sunday in Denver while the Wild opens Monday in Dallas, but Games 2-5 of both series will be on the same nights. Next weekend, with two home playoff games for each team and a home series for the Twins, will be quite the spectacle.
How they did it: Three big decisions by Chris Finch, excellence from surprise starter Nickeil Alexander-Walker, savvy from veteran Mike Conley and controlled excellence from both Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards.
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Questions? Comments? Long-winded diatribes about nothing in particular? E-mail me at michael.rand@startribune.com. Follow me on Twitter @RandBall and Star Tribune sports @StribSports
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and was an assist away from a triple-double, Damian Lillard added 25 and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 on Saturday to earn a spot in the NBA Cup championship game.
