Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] After last season’s surprising run to the Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves are quickly losing their shine. Their latest setback came in a 115-104 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, dropping them to 8-10 on the season and 12th in the Western Conference.
Following the Timberwolves’ fourth consecutive loss, star guard Anthony Edwards didn’t mince words. He openly criticized the team’s softness, lack of defense, and poor communication during his postgame comments.
“We thought defense was our identity, but it’s not looking like that at all,” said Edwards.
“Our identity right now is … we’re soft as hell as a team. Internally, we’re soft. We can’t talk to each other. It’s just like we’re playing with a bunch of little kids, the whole team.”
Edwards also expressed frustration with the team’s inability to follow the game plan.
“We gotta do what the f—ing coach tells us to do. The coach tells us one thing, and we go out there and do a whole different thing. That’s not our game plan. We’re trying to outsmart the coaches, and it’s crazy right now.”
He went on to describe the team as “frontrunners”and claimed players were focused on their own agendas, contributing to a sense of division.
The Timberwolves have struggled to integrate Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo—acquired in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade—into their offense. However, the more pressing concern is their defense. After finishing last season as the NBA’s top-ranked team in defensive rating, Minnesota has fallen to 13th this year.
Edwards, despite averaging career highs with 28.0 points per game on 46.5% shooting, has had his own moments of frustration. He was recently fined by the NBA for losing his composure during a game, highlighting the team’s ongoing leadership void.
For the Timberwolves, turning things around will require more than just tactical adjustments—it will take accountability, cohesion, and strong leadership, all of which appear to be in short supply.