The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the midst of a heated race for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Getting that seed is significant because it is an automatic berth into the Playoffs.
Teams from the seventh to 10th seeds will be involved in the Play-In Tournament. While the higher seeds will be favored, anything is possible in those knockout game scenarios.
The race is on for the sixth seed in the Western Conference, but with two recent losses to the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans, the Timberwolves are now the eighth-seeded team.
This was an unexpected development because just a few days ago, Minnesota was the hottest team in the league with an eight-game winning streak. Now, they have been leapfrogged by the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Golden State Warriors continue to win games.
Related: Timberwolves Seek Redemption In Rematch Against Pelicans
Alexander-Walker Has A Reminder For The Timberwolves
In an interview on Thursday, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was asked about the teams they are against in the Playoff race.
Minnesota's defensive ace did not mince words because he wants the Timberwolves to focus on themselves rather than looking at their rivals.
It is a good point because they should address their issues before thinking about their fellow Playoff hopefuls. Losing two winnable games against the shorthanded Pacers and Pelicans is bad, so Minnesota must bounce back by focusing on what they did wrong.
"Just more so about us because schematically, it's too hard to kinda digest they have to play this team, numbers," Alexander-Walker said after practice. "All that stuff, it's more so about us and what we could do because we don't know where we can fall, who will we be when we get there?"
The Timberwolves must adopt that mindset because they are losing ground. Focusing too much on what other teams are doing wastes time, so Minnesota can improve if they work on their game.
"THE TIMBERWOLVES HAVE THE EASIEST REMAINING SCHEDULE AND CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY TO HAVE HOMECOURT IN THE PLAYOFFS"
TIMBERWOLVES:
pic.twitter.com/5G45APJwc9
— Mr. Garlic (@AlainGarlic) March 20, 2025
The Timberwolves Must Be Consistent The Rest Of The Way
With 11 games left in the regular season for the Timberwolves, they must lock in and remain consistent. The eight-game winning streak was promising because they showed they could be consistently good, but that has not been the case since their close win against Orlando.
Minnesota has a talented team, but it will not go anywhere if they are complacent. The games against the Pacers and Pelicans should serve as lessons that every game should be a must-win. NAW said it best that the Timberwolves must focus on themselves in order to succeed.
back to work. pic.twitter.com/7yhwfxtm8G
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 20, 2025
Consistency is often overlooked because some players have a hot streak. That should not be the case because relying on Anthony Edwards to score 40+ points every game will not get the team anywhere.
Being a cohesive team is more important because it removes pressure from Ant's shoulders while giving the other players opportunities and confidence to be game-changers for Minnesota.
The future is uncertain for head coach Chris Finch and the Timberwolves. However, they already have the tools to succeed, they need to put it together and become the best version of themselves in this Playoff hunt.
Related: The Timberwolves are Peaking at the Right Time Under Chris Finch
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This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 6:30 AM.