Minnesota scored 44 points through 15 minutes of a pivotal game Tuesday against Phoenix.
Yet the Wolves trailed.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball in front of Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
That was because their defense lacked resistance, a concerning trend for an organization that used to consistently pride itself on that end of the floor.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch noted a strategic switch-up was required after the first quarter against the Suns, as Minnesota reverted to drop coverage in pick and roll after Phoenix guard Devin Booker dissected the team’s high-wall coverage with ease.
But the effort had to increase, as well. That’s where Donte DiVincenzo came in. The guard didn’t make a shot Tuesday, going 0 for 8 from the field, including 0 for 6 from distance. Yet he was responsible for what was perhaps the play of the game.
As Suns guard Jalen Green crossed the timeline, DiVincenzo got directly into his waistline. He poked, he prodded and he finally jarred the ball loose. DiVincenzo chased down the loose ball and Minnesota got to the free-throw line on the other end.
But, most importantly, a new tone was set: The Wolves were going to defend with tenacity.
Minnesota still possesses enough perimeter defensive talent to pester opponents on a nightly basis. But Finch noted Minnesota has “a lot of quiet guys” who have a propensity to be too casual out of the gates.
Frequently, they need to be ignited.
DiVincenzo’s effort tends to light the match.
“That’s just what I do,” DiVincenzo said. “I think I try to do it every single night I’m out there. It depends on how the game is flowing, so sometimes it may not look like it, sometimes it may not look like it. I guess, tonight, it looked like it.”
Because the carryover was so apparent. After scoring 44 points in the game’s opening 15 minutes, the Suns scored just 60 over the ensuing 33. Jaden McDaniels defended with a renewed aggression, as did Ayo Dosunmu and others.
Minnesota held Phoenix to just 30.5% shooting over the final three quarters. Finch marched into the locker room postgame and told his players it was one of their best defensive performances of the season.
“Just pick up the ball pressure, make them uncomfortable, get them out of rhythm, limit them to one shot,” DiVincenzo said.
That’s Minnesota’s path to success in general. The Wolves cannot contend for a championship without being one of the league’s top two or three defensive teams. The importance of that end only grows in importance given Anthony Edwards’ absence for the coming week-plus as he battles knee inflammation.
The Wolves have been significantly better on defense all season when Edwards is off the floor, a trend that continued Tuesday as the team improved to 7-4 in games its best player doesn’t play.
Edwards still maintains the reputation of being one of the NBA’s top two-way talents, but even Finch admitted the guard’s defensive impact “has, at times, been up and down.”
Minnesota has to regain its standing as a dominant defense if it’s to achieve the results it needs to ascend up the Western Conference standings without its best player. If it can do that, perhaps a standard will be cemented on that end that Edwards has no choice but to adhere to upon his return.
“I think that really comes down to studying film. I think the more your brain keeps processing something and the more you keep showing your brain something and you keep telling yourself, ‘OK, this is what I’ve got to do, this is what I can do,’ the more it becomes natural,” Dosunmu said of sustained defensive excellence. “I think that’s anything you do in your life. Look at anything you want to accomplish in life, anybody who’s good at something put a lot of time into it. So in terms of us being a great team each and every night on a consistent basis, that’s something we have to really commit to.
“I think that starts with myself being on the ball and other guys who are on the ball, Jaden on the ball, because that’s something we have to bring each and every night. Each and every game, we have to continue to strive.”
And when they do that?
“We’re really good,” DiVincenzo said. “We have a really good team. If we just do all that little (stuff), we’ll take care of business.”