Jon Krawczynski

Wizards’ Juju Reese, younger brother of Angel Reese, collects 20 rebounds (Gift Article) One week ago, Juju Reese was in the G League. On Thursday, he controlled the boards for the NBA's Wizards.

In only his third NBA regular-season game, Juju Reese had a performance of a lifetime. Story in @theathletic.com, free for everyone to read:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Rudy Gobert: "When we play with that kind of edge, it’s super fun. It’s scary. It feels right. It feels like this is a team that’s hungry for something bigger."

MIN 115, TOR 107
Wolves with a superb second half to win their 5th straight. They are now in 3rd place in the West.
Edwards: 22p, 5-8 3s
Gobert: 18p, 12r, 3b
Randle: 17p, 8r
DiVincenzo: 16p, 5r
Dosunmu: 13p, +25

Darko has pulled the starters. Raptors conceding. This was one of the strongest performances of the season for the Wolves, who will pick up their fifth straight win.

Rockets lose to GSW. Wolves are in 3rd place if they hold on here.

Wolves have only turned it over once in the second half. The lead has ballooned to 14 as a result.

That was the best quarter of basketball the Wolves have played all season. Ball movement, highlight reel finishes, hard-nosed defense against a good team.

Ant pops up after a hard fall. This crowd serenading him with MVP chants. This has been one of the Wolves' best quarters of the season.

Every single game, Donte DiVincenzo makes a hustle play on defense like that. What a winning player.

I wonder how many times Brandon Ingram has his jumper blocked per season? Can't be that many. Guessing Rudy just joined an exclusive club.

That was a really rugged, fun half. Very good minutes from Julius Randle and Ayo Dosunmu.

Wolves gotta cut the turnovers down. They've given it up 11 times.

Ayo is a +17 in 12 minutes so far

Raptors have turned the Wolves over 7 times already and scored 16 points off of them. Hard to do much better than that.

Kyle Anderson dealing early: 3 assists in 4 minutes.

Really strong finish to the first quarter after falling behind 17-7 early. 24-10 to close, with the defense turning up.

What a great play by Rudy on the one-hand flip to Ayo for the fast break.

Julius Randle's activity on defense is showing up in a major way early. That's usually a good sign for the Wolves.

Well the game hasn't even started yet and the Wolves already have a delay of game warning. They are a prolific DOG squad.

Kyle Anderson, Wolves reunite in Minnesota with unfinished business Chris Finch, as much as any coach in the league, has always looked below the surface with Anderson to understand how he can make an impact.

Kyle Anderson is back in Minnesota and has unfinished business to attend to.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

From tragedy to exile to new life in Minnesota, Bones Hyland embraces the journey

Bones Hyland has re-emerged from 2 years on the fringes of the NBA to become a key piece on a contender in Minnesota.

Through tragedy, injury and exile, he’s never given in. That desperation has been key for a Wolves team that needs urgency.

Free gift link 👇👇👇

www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Tank-a-riffic final defensive possession for the Grizz.

Finch is furious with the Wolves, and Ant, for trying to force 40. Lead down to 8 now.

Edwards with 5 steals on the night, plus a soaring block. Big-time defense from him in important moments.

No one knows what a foul call is in this game. The calls and non-calls are all over the place.

Wolves are waking up now. Much more defensive intensity and Jaden McDaniels has had some jaw-dropping finishes.

Some nice razzle-dazzle from Ayo Dosunmu, but the Wolves give it right back with a wide open 3 to Rupert. Been that kind of night so far, and we've seen it plenty this season.

Wolves from 3:
Ant: 2-3
Rest of Wolves: 0-10

Entirely predictable terrible first quarter for the Wolves against a non-playoff team. You could make a lot of money on Kalshi predicting that one.

Standing ovation for Kyle Anderson as he checks into the game. Very cool.

Pippen, Jerome and Wells are all hard-playing dudes. Wolves better buckle their chin straps.