The chase for the NBA Cup has begun.
The Minnesota Timberwolves opened their NBA Cup schedule against the Utah Jazz, debuting their bright green court that was met with mixed reactions online.
The Wolves started the game exactly as you would want to see against a beatable opponent. Jaden McDaniels stole the opening tip for a dunk, and Anthony Edwards scored eight straight points before the Jazz could even breathe.
It wasn’t just the Wolves’ offense that was humming as the defense, which has struggled greatly through these first eight games, allowed just six points over the first five minutes of the quarter as the Timberwolves took an early 18-point lead.
The lead eventually reached 29 points by the end of the first quarter and continued to grow throughout the game. The Wolves led by at least 20 points the rest of the game, with the difference in score peaking at 44 points.
With the Timberwolves in clear control on the scoreboard, the only remaining questions were how many points Edwards would be able to score and how much the Wolves would try to run up the score in the fourth quarter, with the game being an NBA Cup game where point differential is the main tiebreaker.
The answer to the Edwards question would be 37 points. If the game had been anywhere near close, the number would have been much higher. Ant subbed out of the game late in the third and did not return. Edwards seemed to be still knocking off the rust in his first game back from injury on Wednesday against the New York Knicks, but was back to his usual self tonight.
The Timberwolves also didn’t feel the need to run up the score as they brought in the bench with less than nine minutes to go in the game, up by 36 points. The Wolves would maintain the large lead as they went on to win by a score of 137-97.
Along with Edwards, Julius Randle was outstanding, ending up a single rebound away from a triple-double in the first half alone. He would quickly pick up the needed rebound in the third quarter, finishing with 19 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. McDaniels continued his great start to the season as well, putting up 22 points and seven rebounds.
Key Takeaway: For the Cup!
The win over the Jazz gives the Timberwolves a 1-0 record in NBA Cup play. They currently lead Group A in large part due to the +40 point differential.
The Wolves will have a good chance to advance to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup if they take care of business like they did tonight. While the Oklahoma City Thunder are heavy favorites to win Group A, loss to them would not eliminate the Wolves as their large point differential tonight gives them a leg up on the Western Conference’s wild card slot if they take care of business against the other two teams in Group A, Sacramento Kings and Pheonix Suns.
After the game, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch spoke about the growing interest from players as the NBA Cup enters its third season.
“I do sense it amongst the league players. Yeah, I really do. I mean, players talk about it openly. I think it’s a perfect shot in the arm at this point in the early start of the season. I think it’s been a great product since it’s been put in. I think players understand it. Especially our guys. They talked about it last week, and we weren’t even playing. They thought the Charlotte game was a Cup game.”
While the players may not know the exact schedule of which games are or are not NBA Cup games, they do seem to have some level of interest.
The largest motivating factor seems to be the potential prize money the players can earn if they either make it to the knockout stage or win the whole thing. McDaniels talked at his locker after the game about the NBA Cup games.
“When I see the court, I’m like, it’s just time to win the money. We ain’t been to Vegas one time. At least come in first, second, or third, we get a little bit of money. So, whichever one we come in, I’m cool – we get a little wire transfer.”
Randle had a similar sentament, noting that “It’s competition at the end of the day.”
While most of the Timberwolves players seem to at least have a passing interest, the team’s highest paid player didn’t seem to have the same passion for the NBA Cup as Edwards explained that in the first year, no one really knew what what going on.
“We didn’t really understand the rules. I still don’t understand the rules. I really don’t care. But yeah, I think just winnning the games mean more than anything.”
Whether you’re someone who enjoys the added stakes of tonight’s game, or could care less about the NBA Cup, it was a fun night at Target Center watching the Timberwolves beat up on the Jazz by 40 points. The neon green court may have been an eye sore, but the Wolves basketball that was played on top of it was beautiful.
The Timberwolves head out west for a matchup with the Sacramento Kings. The Wolves have won their last five games at Golden 1 Center, dating back to the 2022-23 season.
The game begins at 8:00 PM CT, with fans being able to watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network.