It wasn’t always pretty, but the Minnesota Timberwolves found a way to push through and defeat the Utah Jazz on Sunday night.
Every time the Wolves would go on a bit of a run, the Jazz would claw their way right back into the game. It was not until late in the third quarter that Minnesota would comfortably pull away. This allowed the Wolves to salvage their showing against a team that came into the game at 1-8.
I’ve mentioned this in my recaps before, but in the past, a game like this could be considered
a trap game. Playing against a team that is languishing in the standings is usually a recipe for disaster. Early on in the season, it would seem that Minnesota is doing a great job of rewriting that narrative.
The Wolves did what they were supposed to do by beating a team at the bottom of the standings. We shouldn’t take that for granted. I doubt any long-term fans will.
The victory over Utah was on-brand for the 2026-27 Timberwolves, featuring a slew of highlights and standout performances from many of the players who have been ascending in the absence of Anthony Edwards and Donte Divincenzo. Here are a few game notes that stood out to me.
Trey Lyles might be legit
I’ve been apprehensive about saying that Trey Lyles is going to be a meaningful part of this team. I mean, the guy was overseas last year. Yet, as is becoming tradition, Minnesota is looking like the premier rehabilitation hub for players who are looking for newfound life in their careers. Lyles is fitting right in.
The counting stats don’t jump off the page tonight with just nine points (3/6 shooting, 1/3 from deep), six boards, two assists, and a steal across 21 minutes of play. What jumps out instead is his +29 across those limited minutes in what amounted to a 15-point win. The guy can play, and it’s fair to wonder at this point why he wasn’t in the NBA last year.
Many folks I have talked to have branded Lyles as the team’s new Kyle Anderson, and even that comparison may be underselling his impact at this point in the season. Lyles is connecting lineup combinations in a way that we never saw with Anderson. He fits into any scheme at any point of the game, and he is rarely a negative on the floor, whereas Slow Mo needed a very specific set of circumstances to succeed.
On nights like tonight, when Jonathan Kuminga has an off performance (four points, three turnovers, and a team-worst -10), having a consistent presence like Lyles proves to be invaluable. Tim Connelly can apparently do no wrong with his roster construction, and Lyles is further emblematic of his prowess as a team builder.
Stars Shine as They Should
Against a (lowly) team like the Jazz, you need your bona fide contributors to not drop the ball. The quartet of Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Ayo Dosunmu, and LaMelo Ball were all up to the task, keeping the Wolves afloat against a Jazz team that showcased more fight than their record would suggest.
What more can we say about Dosunmu? He’s been revelatory in the starting lineup and, much like Lyles, seems to fit in and produce wherever he’s deployed. Scoring 26 points on just 13 shots is wildly efficient and, while his five turnovers were tied for the most on the team, he seemed to be unstoppable for most of the night.
It’s wild to think that Connelly acquired Dosunmu for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and a few second-round picks. Peanuts.
Ball was his usual self on the evening, providing plenty of highlight-worthy plays, some dazzling shot-making, and even throwing in a breakaway dunk for good measure. He shot 50% from the field on 20 shots, which is always a plus for a player who tends to struggle with efficiency. Not much to complain about on his end.
McDaniels was also efficient and filled the stat sheet on a small shot diet: 16 points (5/9 in general, 2/3 from deep), six boards, three assists, a steal, and a block, and a +17 across 33 minutes. Jaden did what he does, which is contribute in all facets of the game. Gobert had a whopping 15 rebounds, 10 points, and only missed two free throws. All around, it was a solid showing from the gang.
TJ Shannon Jr. also returned from his injury absence with a modest five-point performance. He may need some time to reacclimate himself to game speed. Fortunately, the Wolves have a bit of a break before their next matchup (Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks), so he can continue to rest his injured hip.
Michael Grady
In an otherwise uneventful game, it was refreshing to hear Michael Grady back on the call.
Obviously, Grady has increasing commitments that take him away from doing Wolves games. That’s all good, and nobody deserves it more than he does. However, it is always nice to hear his chemistry with Jim Petersen shine during the home broadcasts.
The joy was palpable early on in this game, and it is easy to tell how much Grady still loves calling Wolves games. His national broadcasts are similarly fantastic, though the degree to which he feels at home with Minnesota brings a warm feeling to the game-watching experience that we, as fans, shouldn’t take for granted.
None of this is a knock on Kevin Calabro, who has been able to provide a different angle to the watching experience that will only improve the more that his chemistry grows with Petersen. Calabro is good and is exactly as advertised. Yet, Grady is, and will always be, our dude. While he’s still with us, we need to soak this up while we can.
Up Next
The Timberwolves get a bit of a break after a torrid start to the season, taking on the Mavericks on Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 PM Central. Catch the game on DAZN-MN and NBA TV.
