Timberwolves coach Chris Finch came into the locker room after Minnesota’s loss to Denver on Monday and challenged a handful of players about their contributions to the team’s defense. Publicly, he called out Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
“We need more. Because, as of now, it’s not enough,” Finch said.
Minnesota was in control Monday night at Target Center, leading Denver by eight at the half. Then came the fateful third quarter. Denver exploded for 45 points, 23 of which came from Jamal Murray. The Nuggets shot 67% from the field in the quarter, including 63% from distance, all while not committing a turnover.
“No defense. Nothing at the rim. Kept turning corners on us, getting downhill,” Finch said. “We didn’t break off, we didn’t challenge. Too comfortable in the paint and the heart of the defense.”
This scenario has become all too familiar for Minnesota.
What was once the most ferocious defense in the NBA is now alarmingly ineffective. Just look at Jamal Murray, who was so frustrated by Minnesota’s defensive tenacity last postseason that he threw objects onto the court during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals in 2024. On Monday, he was free to do whatever he wanted — as was Nikola Jokic.
Their dominance on Monday night was eerily reminiscent of Luka Doncic’s performance against the Wolves in Los Angeles just three days earlier. Currently, Minnesota lacks the defensive capability to handle the best players in the game or anyone else, for that matter.
Through four games this season, the Wolves have the fourth-worst defense in the NBA, allowing 119.8 points per 100 possessions. For context, that statistic was 108.4 last season. The defense has been in steady decline, worsening incrementally over the past two seasons.
Despite a commitment to re-establish defensive dominance in training camp, the Wolves have fallen sharply on that end through the early part of this season. Mike Conley noted that while players are “playing hard,” “too many breakdowns” have contributed to their struggles.
Miscommunications were rampant during Monday’s game, leading to numerous open looks for the Nuggets.
“We have to do things as a unit. All five guys have to be in the same mindset and connected when we do things. We kind of got too many rogue situations going on and guys not being on the weak side early enough. Game plan stuff,” Conley explained. “It’s just a combination of a lot of things that’s happening.”
Conley emphasized that it comes down to individual responsibility: players must take on challenges without relying excessively on help defense. Miscommunication can sometimes be overcome by sheer effort.
“That’s who we used to be,” Conley said, “and we need to get back to that.”
However, when Minnesota had that defensive identity, it featured players like Kyle Anderson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the rotation — personnel rich in defensive prowess. The current roster does not possess the same depth of defensive ability, especially with Anthony Edwards and Jaylen Clark sidelined by injuries.
This may be why Finch insists he expects more from McDaniels and Gobert, who are compensated substantially for their defensive efforts.
“It starts with us. I think we are a defensive-minded team, and whether it’s me inside or Jaden on the wing, I think a lot of the mindset that we try to put into our team starts with us,” Gobert said. “When Jaden and whoever is guarding the ball is pressuring the ball, and when I’m being a monster in the paint, it sets the tone for everybody else.”
Unfortunately, that has not been the case so far this season. Minnesota’s ball pressure has been lacking. Opponents’ screen plays have created ample separation, allowing for open shot opportunities. The key fix is more tenacious on-ball pressure.
“Us on the ball have got to be more sticky. I think we’re just not being as physical as we can be,” Conley said. “I think we can fight over it. Guys can not get screened. We’ve done it. There’s no excuse for it. As a group, we have to be more aggressive on the ball — not just get into a dance with [the ball handler], but trying to lead the dance a little bit, being physical and aggressive like we can be.”
McDaniels and Clark are leading the charge on that front when McDaniels plays to the defensive level he’s capable of. He feels like he’s playing defense the same way he always has.
“But it’s obviously not working,” McDaniels said — a description that applies not only to him but to a team whose once-proud defensive identity is fading fast.
Though it’s only been four games, Finch admitted he’s “very concerned about it.”
“We have been extremely inconsistent defensively,” Finch said.
Conley described the situation as “confusing,” noting that Minnesota does have enough defenders to guard the ball, continuity from last season, and no obvious reason for failing to get stops.
“I don’t think we’re looking up like, ‘Man, we can’t guard anybody.’ It’s just like, ‘Why didn’t we do this? Why didn’t we try to block that? Why didn’t you get back on defense? Why did you leave him open in the corner?’” Conley said. “It’s just kind of more baffling than it is a real issue. Nonetheless, it’s something that we have to correct.”
Finch stressed that improving defense is essential to winning. Conley echoed that sentiment, emphasizing accountability.
Finch kicked off this accountability postgame Monday. Now, Conley says, it’s on everyone to respond.
“It’s got to be what matters more than anything, more than how many points we score or anything else going on,” Gobert said of getting stops. “I think that’s the team we need to be.”
https://www.twincities.com/2025/10/28/minnesota-timberwolves-defense-struggling-nba-jaden-mcdaniels-rudy-gobert/