The Minnesota Timberwolves are seeking the respect they deserve after back-to-back conference finals appearances. Despite being underdogs, they have proven their worth by defeating top teams in the playoffs.
Key points
Timberwolves are fighting for respect after recent playoff success
They upset the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs
Timberwolves finished with fewer than 50 wins this season
Doubting the Timberwolves has proven to be a mistake
Defeating the Spurs would enhance their credibility
Minnesota TimberwolvesOklahoma City ThunderSan Antonio SpursDenver Nuggets
They say respect is earned, not given. But for some reason, the Minnesota Timberwolves are still fighting for the respect they should have received a long time ago.
Fresh off back-to-back conference finals appearances, nobody was picking the Wolves to make it back to that round of the NBA playoffs, let alone the NBA Finals. All the talk was about the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. And for good reason. They both eclipsed 60 wins this year. Minnesota finished with fewer than 50.
Well, that's a lesson we should have learned in the past, when they finished sixth in the West before knocking off the Lakers and Warriors in 2025. Or the year before, when they went through the Suns and Nuggets. Doubting the Timberwolves is never a good idea.
What more do they need to do to convince us they're worthy of our respect? Nothing. They should have it by now. But in case they don't, knocking off the 62-win Spurs led by the alien himself, Victor Wembanyama, is a good place to start.
Say less.
Minnesota went on the road and took Game 1 from the Spurs Monday, holding Wembanyama to 11 points in 40 minutes and reminding us once again why they shouldn't be overlooked. Edwards had 18 off the bench in his return. The Timberwolves showed the Spurs what playoff experience and composure looks like. There are levels to this.
It's not a given the Wolves win the series. They still have three wins to go. But we should be more open to the idea they can win it, and we should've been all along. A Spurs-Thunder conference finals isn't the lock everyone assumed it to be.
Q&A
Why are the Minnesota Timberwolves considered underdogs in the NBA playoffs?
The Timberwolves are viewed as underdogs due to their lower win total compared to teams like the Spurs and Thunder, despite their recent playoff success.
What recent achievements have the Timberwolves accomplished in the playoffs?
The Timberwolves have made back-to-back conference finals appearances and upset higher-seeded teams like the Nuggets, Lakers, and Warriors.
How did injuries affect the Timberwolves' playoff chances?
Injuries, particularly to star player Anthony Edwards, have led to skepticism about the Timberwolves' ability to compete against stronger teams like the Spurs.
What is the significance of the Timberwolves defeating the Spurs?
Defeating the 62-win Spurs would further validate the Timberwolves' status as a serious contender and challenge the narrative of them being underappreciated.
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Valkyries make a head-scratching decision
The Valkyries need to explain this one.
The Valkyries need to explain this one.
The Golden State Valkyries earned a lot of credibility last year with the way they built a team that was immediately competitive and made the playoffs in its inaugural season. But after trading No. 8 overall pick Flau'Jae Johnson to Seattle for second-rounder Marta SuƔrez and a future second... then waiving SuƔrez before the season even started, they're doing serious damage to that reputation.
"How in the world could Golden State let this happen? How could even a person playing a video game and doing fake trades in the virtual world make such an outrageously detrimental move for the franchise? An eighth overall draft selection is a valuable asset. The Valkyries could have used it to either take a player they truly liked or traded away for veteran talent and/or a much more meaningful asset than a 2028 second rounder."
Yeah, I have no clue what the Valkyries are doing.
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