SAN FRANCISCO — The Minnesota Timberwolves lost their 11th straight game in a 113-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday. After it was over, both players and coaches wore a look of frustration while trying to describe what it will take to get the group back on track, besides getting star center Karl-Anthony Towns back on the floor. Towns missed his fourth straight game because of a left knee injury, but the Timberwolves’ issues go far beyond his health.
“They played harder,” Timberwolves swingman Andrew Wiggins said. “That was it. We missed easy shots, though. Shots we should have made, but for the most part they just played harder. They ran us.”
The Warriors, who came into the game with six wins on the season, took control of the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves 35-21. Then they never really looked back, leading by as many as 24 points in the second half.
“It’s no secret, we’re in a funk right now,” Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders said. “But one thing I will say, for those of you who are around our team, we’re still positive for the most part, but it hurts still. But we also need to understand, young team or not, we got to learn lessons in this league because you got to go through hard times to get to where you want to be. And we’re in a hard time. And you come out of it together, and you learn about people, and you learn about individuals in that time.”
The Timberwolves locker room was extremely quiet as players dressed quickly after the game, but with the team at 10-19, it doesn’t seem like better days are in the near future. Former G-Leaguers Jordan McLaughlin and Kelan Martin, both of whom were called up prior to Monday’s game, provided the group with a jolt of energy, combining for 27 points off the bench. Saunders praised the pair’s effort but was disappointed that his group did not play better.
“It’s hard to win in this league, and we got to understand that, too,” Saunders said. “Hey, they don’t check your paycheck or your birth certificate when you step on the floor, so we’re adults competing here, and we got to make sure that we’re out there and we’re growing, but we’re also coming out there competing, no matter how young we are or how old we are. I think sometimes when you get into a losing streak, it feels very heavy, and we need to find a way to take the heaviness off and play together.”
What exactly is the biggest change the Timberwolves need to make?
“It’s something we got to figure out,” Wiggins said.
On the other side of Chase Center, Warriors forward Draymond Green wore a big smile as he discussed what it meant for his beleaguered group to win two straight games.
“It feels f—ing amazing,” Green said. “I never thought I would be so excited for two regular-season wins in my life.”
Wiggins is hopeful that his team can find its way again soon.
“We just need a perfect game,” Wiggins said. “That’s it … you win one game, end that little streak, and I feel a door will be open for us.”