Wolves' Young Guys Get Plenty Of Run In Preseason Loss To Nuggets
Wolves' Young Guys Get Plenty Of Run In Preseason Loss To Nuggets
The Minnesota Timberwolves fell to the Denver Nuggets 131-112 in their preseason opener on Monday night at Target Center. The Nuggets were led by Nikola Jokic, who had 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. The Timberwolves were led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Timberwolves started four rookies in their lineup, including Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Jarrett Culver and Naz Reid. Edwards finished with 13 points, McDaniels had 11 points, Culver had 8 points and Reid had 6 points.
Edwards Shows Flashes Of Potential
Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, showed flashes of his potential in his preseason debut. He was aggressive on the offensive end, attacking the basket and hitting shots from all over the floor. He also showed off his defensive skills, getting steals and blocks.
"I thought he played well," Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said of Edwards. "He made some mistakes, but he also made some really good plays. He's a rookie, so we're going to be patient with him. But I think he has a lot of potential."
McDaniels Provides Solid Defense
McDaniels, the No. 28 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, also had a solid preseason debut. He was active on the defensive end, guarding multiple positions and making it tough for the Nuggets to score. He also showed some offensive potential, hitting a few shots from beyond the arc.
"I thought he played well," Saunders said of McDaniels. "He's a good defender and he can shoot it. He's a guy who can fill a lot of different roles for us."
Culver Struggles With Shot
Culver, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, struggled with his shot in his preseason debut. He was just 3-of-13 from the field and 1-of-6 from three-point range. He also had four turnovers.
"I thought he played hard," Saunders said of Culver. "But he didn't shoot the ball well. He's a good shooter, so we're not worried about him. He'll make shots."
Reid Impresses With Energy
Reid, the No. 35 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, impressed with his energy and hustle in his preseason debut. He was active on the boards, grabbing six rebounds in just 18 minutes of play. He also showed some offensive potential, scoring six points on 3-of-4 shooting.
"I thought he played well," Saunders said of Reid. "He's a high-energy guy who can do a lot of different things for us. He's a good rebounder and he can score it a little bit."
Conclusion
The Timberwolves' young guys got plenty of run in their preseason opener against the Nuggets. Edwards, McDaniels, Culver and Reid all showed flashes of their potential. Edwards was aggressive on the offensive end, McDaniels was solid on the defensive end, Culver struggled with his shot and Reid impressed with his energy.
The Timberwolves are still a young team, but they have a lot of potential. If their young guys can continue to develop, they could be a force in the Western Conference.