Apr 21, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) talks to fans during a gamne against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter during game one of the three round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Barkley said he was “embarrassed for basketball” after the Minnesota Timberwolves fumbled away a Game 3 win to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Minnesota Timberwolves looked to have Game 3 in the bag. They had a 26-point lead at one point in the first half. They had two 20-point leads over the Memphis Grizzlies. Surely they won, right?
Wrong. Memphis bounced back in the fourth quarter to win 104-95 to take a 2-1 series lead over Minnesota.
There were plenty who shared their thoughts on the epic collapse by the Timberwolves. That includes Charles Barkley, who said during “Inside the NBA” that Minnesota’s loss was “embarrassing for basketball.” Not only that, but Barkley said that the Minnesota coaching staff should be just as embarrassed as the players.
Charles Barkley called Timberwolves’ Game 3 collapse ’embarrassing for basketball’
The Timberwolves had a 98-percent win probability as soon as the fourth quarter started. Instead, Minnesota went cold on the court, with Memphis going on a ridiculous 42-12 run in the final 13 minutes of regulation. It only gets worse for the Timberwolves, as they made history.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, Memphis outscored Minnesota by 25 points in the fourth quarter, tied for the largest points differential in the fourth quarter of a road game in NBA history. The Timberwolves are the ninth team to lose with a 25-point lead at any point in the game.
While the loss may sting, the Timberwolves still have a chance to bounce back in the series. That can begin as soon as Game 4 on Saturday, Apr. 23.