The Minnesota Timberwolves haven’t gotten on the world-beating tour quite like they were expected to do this season. Through 36 games, Minnesota (16-21) sits in 11th place in the Western Conference, just outside a play-in tournament if the season ended Monday.
However, that hasn’t given free agent signee Austin River any reason to believe Minnesota is incapable of a run. The Timberwolves are still headlined by Anthony Edwards, D’Angelo Russell, Rudy Gobert, and Karl-Anthony Towns once he returns from his calf injury. With All-Star-level talent like that, Rivers believes “the dynamic will change” once they reel off “three or four” wins in a row.
Austin Rivers:
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) January 2, 2023
“We gotta go get wins. Then the energy will turn, I promise you. We win three or four in a row, the whole dynamic will change. I promise you. Just gotta stay with us, man. And we gotta stay with us, more importantly, than anybody else.”
He also believes that Minnesota has “more than enough here” with a “loaded roster” and “great coach” that can get Minnesota back to contending for the playoffs. The T-Wolves are likely looking at good fortunes coming once KAT returns and the team finds a winning rotation that can help make the most out of what Edwards, Towns, and Gobert do well as offensive threats.
Combine that with Russell running pick-and-rolls and being a contender to help close games out, and it’s possible Minnesota can go beyond just being the play-in contender they currently are.
Rivers:
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) January 2, 2023
“We have more than enough here. We have a loaded team, loaded roster, great coach. It’s one of those things that in the NBA, when it rains it pours sometimes, it really does. But perspective is everything. I think the main thing for us right now is keeping perspective.”
