Hope keeps you going. But when it turns into blind faith, it’s just funny. The Phoenix Suns had one job: win every game left. But on Friday, they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, crushing whatever slim Playoff hopes they had. Meanwhile, the Wolves, once doubted without KAT, are soaring. Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and the squad aren’t just hanging on anymore, they’re dreaming bigger than ever.
To be fair, Minnesota’s dreams seem valid at this point. With Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined earlier in the 2024-25 season due to a lingering knee issue, Minnesota stumbled out of the gate, posting a 12-15 record by mid-December. Critics questioned whether Anthony Edwards could carry the load alone, while Gobert and Randle—newly acquired in a blockbuster offseason trade—faced scrutiny for their fit. Fast forward to late March, and the Wolves have flipped the script, riding a 10-3 stretch since early March, including statement wins over Denver, OKC, and now Phoenix.
Their initial phase of struggle, Ant’s on-court frustrations, and losses made everything feel like a far-fetched hope. But the days have changed as the Wolves found their true calling and motivation to turn the tables for themselves. Now, coming back to Friday, Finch’s boys were aggressive and all-in for the win from their first touch.
Rudy Gobert sets the ‘blueprint’ for Minnesota while Julius Randle speaks of mindsets
The Wolves’ 124-109 win vs. Phoenix was inevitable. Especially with the French ‘big guy’ Rudy Gobert going for a crucial double-double (17 pts, 13 rebs) in a game that mattered so much. Thus, speaking to the media in the locker room after the game, the 7’1″ star clarified the blueprint of the team moving forward. Gobert says: “It’s kind of like we know what it looks like, but we play at our peak when we have that level of almost fear—a little bit of fear, a little bit of urgency, that kind of survival instinct.”
Of course, the Timberwolves know what peak performance feels like. With the stakes sky-high, they embrace the pressure. It’s not just about them anymore, it’s a warning to their rivals. That mix of fear and urgency? It fuels their fire. When survival mode kicks in, they lock in.“When we play with that, we are really, really good,” Rudy Gobert continues. “And there’s no one that we cannot beat when we play that way. It’s about finding a way to have that every night.”
It’s true; we have witnessed the Wolves go all-out on the opponent side with unprecedented force. An open warzone with a pre-decided winner. “I think now we should have that,” Gobert says about keeping up the energy they had vs. Kevin Durant’s team on Friday. “Obviously, we have eight games left, so every game is like a play-in game for us in a way. We have to bring that edge every night.”
Dec 25, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Julius Randle, the star of last night with an amazing 25-point game, outshined Anthony Edwards as well. Speaking to the media after the game, Randle also left some messages for the locker room. It’s clear that the players are seeking a no-non sense approach as they dive deeper into the league.
“Whatever our mindset was coming in tonight, we just got to keep that. You know, we know what it takes to play at this level. We’ve done it many times throughout this year. We just got to keep being consistent in it and not get too high, not get too low,” Randle said without hesitation. Well, Julius Randle knows the drill—mindset is everything. The team has proven they can compete at the highest level. Now, it’s all about consistency. No overreactions, no breakdowns. Stay locked in, ride the momentum, and keep pushing.
While Rudy Gobert and Randle had words for the team, Minnesota’s head coach, Chris Finch, discovered the secret sauce for winning all the games. It’s safe to say that the 55-year-old has found his mastermind self back in this process.
Coach Finh finds the gateway to winning games
The reporters at the postgame press conference asked Chris Finch if facing familiar opponents gives the team an advantage. Since the Wolves played Denver and Phoenix often and found success, does that familiarity help them win? Do these past matchups create personal rivalries or extra motivation? Coach Finch says, “I think certainly familiarity is helpful because, obviously, you learn their tendencies really well. You learn what they’re trying to do, tactics, and you get a comfort level there.”
He believes familiarity gives his team an edge. Knowing an opponent’s tendencies and tricks makes it easier to anticipate their moves. That comfort level helps in executing a better game plan. But at the same time, respecting the rivals becomes equally important, especially in this case. Knowing the nerves of a team and exploiting the same is different, but painting cordiality is crucial.
“We’ve got to bring that level of respect to every opponent, and that’s something that we haven’t always done,” Rudy Gobert and Co.’s ringmaster admitted. “We need to be able to do that, and coming down the stretch, if we play with that type of focus, intensity, and purpose, then we’ll be fine.” Thus concluding his message, Chris Finch gave an insight into the masterplan that he has identified.
So, the Minnesota Timberwolves have found their spark. Fear pushes them forward, mindset keeps them steady, and familiarity gives them an edge. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert leads with fire, Julius Randle preaches focus, and Chris Finch lays out the path. They are not just surviving anymore. They are coming for everything. With the Playoffs in sight, it’s a do-or-die state of mind within the squad.
The post Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle Deliver Strong Locker Room Message As Timberwolves HC Finds Major Winning Formula appeared first on EssentiallySports.
