Although the Minnesota Timberwolves have not been exactly pitching a tent on the podium, they’ve made some real noise fighting their way into the Western Conference race. After a tough 119-115 loss to the Pelicans, something just feels… off. If you thought head coach Chris Finch was gonna sugarcoat things, well, think again. Not only did he have nothing good to say about the team, he straight up let them have it.
Their big mid-season addition, Julius Randle admitted what they all knew — he’s hit a wall; mentally, physically, every other -ally. And right before the playoffs, we are not looking for that type of response.
But what is actually going on here? Is this a temporary bump they can skip through to decide to win, or is Finch seeing something a little deeper, something that may scupper what appeared to be a fine season? Alright, let’s talk about what Finch actually said because it wasn’t pretty.
After watching Zion Williamson bulldoze his way to 29 points, Finch didn’t mince words. Minnesota’s defense? Not just bad. Not just lacking. Nope—he went with a much harsher term. Soft.
“We need another line of defense. I just thought at the rim, we were soft. We got out of the way too much.” Ouch. We all know that’s one of the worst things you can say about a team. Missing shots? Fine. Having an off night? Happens. But soft? That’s about heart, effort, pride. Finch wasn’t just pointing out mistakes—he was calling out their entire approach.
And he wasn’t done. “We’re not dictating on the ball. We’re giving it too much space, and then we’re on our heels. That leads to fouling. That leads to offensive rebounds, that leads to everything we did wrong,” Coach Finch further elaborated. They’re letting the game happen to them instead of taking control. And let’s be real—this isn’t just about one bad night. This is becoming a pattern.
Two straight losses. First, an overtime L against the Pacers. Then letting a shorthanded Pelicans team come to their house and getting a W. This is the same team that had been on an eight-game winning streak not so long ago. And now? It is impossible to ignore the energy shift.
Julius Randle’s Honest Confession: “My Energy’s Down”
If Finch’s rant wasn’t already a wake-up call, Julius Randle’s post-game comments sure should’ve been. But his tone? It wasn’t angry. It wasn’t frustrated; it was just … tired. “I just feel like my energy’s down for whatever reason, you know what I mean? It’s a long season, it’s like dog days.“
That’s not what you usually hear from Randle. This guy prides himself on being a workhorse, a grinder. But after missing 13 games with a groin injury and working his way back, it’s clear—this season is wearing on him. And the numbers back it up. Since returning, he’s been putting up 18.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. Solid numbers, sure, but the spark? The fire? It’s missing.
The good news? He knows it. He’s not making excuses, not blaming anything or anyone. He’s just calling it like he sees it. “Whatever we’ve got to do to recover, mentally refresh, get our mind right, we’ve got to do it,” he straight-up stated.
That is what Finch was talking about. This has nothing to do with X’s and O’s. The defense is not the only problem with this team; they need better energy. If they already feel wiped out by their key guy, that’s a problem they need to solve now.
Dec 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch talks with guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
So, here’s where things stand. The Timberwolves are still in a decent spot—40-31, sitting 8th in the West. The Play-In Tournament isn’t ideal, but it’s not the end of the world. The real concern? The vibe. Finch sounds frustrated. Randle sounds exhausted. And if they don’t snap out of this funk soon, things could start unraveling fast.
This is a moment. A defining one. Do they take Chris Finch’s words to heart, shake off the fatigue, and get back to playing with that edge? Or do these losses creep into their confidence, turning what looked like a dark horse contender into just another team that ran out of gas at the worst possible time?
That answer? It might just decide their season.
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