Takeaways: Shorthanded Timberwolves top Kings 117-103 for seventh victory in eight games

The Timberwolves came into Sunday night at Target Center shorthanded with Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley both out because of injuries. Then, just as they were getting rolling in the second half against the Kings, Rudy Gobert left the game for personal reasons.

With this split squad, the Wolves didn’t play their prettiest game of the season, but they played well enough to get a 117-103 victory over the Kings. They close the season series 3-1 against Sacramento and have won seven of their past eight games.

“I think our composure down the stretch has gotten a lot better,” coach Chris Finch said. “Our ability to make the right read, certainly shot making has helped in those moments. Coming off of that week where we went to Phoenix, SAC, Oklahoma City, we talked about how we need to be better in closing games, and the themes that popped up, and guys have done a good job of addressing that.”

Bones Hyland returned from his own injury in Friday’s victory at Golden State to score 18 points, nine in the fourth quarter as the Wolves tried to keep the Kings at a distance.

Julius Randle led the Wolves with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Naz Reid added 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Reid joked that it didn’t matter if Gobert was out there or not, he was trying to get as many rebounds as he could.

“I’m trying to grab everything already, especially when he’s on the floor. I might try and steal some of his,” he said.

The Wolves benefited from a 0-for-5 fourth quarter from Russell Westbrook. DeMar DeRozan had 17 points for the Kings.

With Conley out for his second consecutive game because of right Achilles tendinopathy, Hyland returned from a knee contusion that knocked him out in the first quarter in San Francisco. Hyland was back as the starting point guard, as he was on Friday, when he was making the first start of his Wolves career.

The Wolves don’t win Sunday without Hyland’s contributions, especially in the fourth quarter as he ignited the team on the offensive end after the game had tightened.

“He’s got a ton of game,” Finch said of Hyland. “He’s super smart. He’s a past-first guy who can really score, rather than a score-first guy who can pass. He just gives us that point guard mentality, and he’s got quickness and tricky shot-making, so he’s really playing well for us.”

Hyland also had five assists. Asked if he agreed with Finch’s assessment as a “pass-first guy,” Hyland said: “I feel like I’m very versatile. I can go either way. It’s really whatever we need. If we need scoring, if we need passing, I feel like I’m a very underrated passer as well. I don’t get a lot of credit for that. That’s cool. As long as I believe and as long as coach believes too, as well, in my abilities.

Finch has trusted Hyland more and more, with the point guard earning a rotation spot over Rob Dillingham when everyone was fully healthy. Dillingham had five points and three assists in 12 minutes.

DiVincenzo had a strong night defensively with four steals in addition to 18 points.

“When we play defense, when we lock in, we get stops and we out and run, that’s what kind of changed in the game,” DiVincenzo said. “Once we got to pushing [the ball], we settled down and handled things.”

Hyland said he made it his mission to make sure he was pushing the ball.

“Everyone wants to get out and get some dunks, get some threes,” Hyland said. “I keep pushing the break, I got the ball, they gotta run. As long as you keep pushing the pace and finding others, whether it’s creating for myself, too. That’s just the beauty of the game.”

BOXSCORE: Wolves 117, Sacramento 103

Edwards missed his second consecutive game because of right foot soreness. It was the sixth game he has missed this season, and the Wolves improved to 4-2 without him. The injury is not considered a long-term issue, with Finch reiterating before the game that Edwards was day to day.

“Just hasn’t calmed down to the point where he’s able to go,” Finch said.