Category: Minnesota Timberwolves

Former NBA Player Set to Represent United States in Olympic Beach Volleyball
5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Former NBA Player Set to Represent United States in Olympic Beach Volleyball

If you thought the United States men's basketball team—Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant and friends—was the only cohort of American NBA players headed to the Paris Olympics, you would be mistaken.

One other ex-NBAer is headed to sports' biggest stage—in beach volleyball.

Chase Budinger, a forward for the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and Suns from 2010-16, has officially qualified for the Paris Games. Budinger and partner Miles Evans punched their ticket Wednesday, with the elimination of Americans Theo Brunner and Trevor Crabb from a qualifying tournament in the Czech Republic.

A blue-chip prospect in both basketball and volleyball out of high school, Budinger chose hoops and played three productive seasons at Arizona. The Detroit Pistons made him the 44th pick of the 2009 NBA draft.

In 2018, he returned to beach volleyball, beginning a successful partnership with Evans in 2023.

Olympic competition in the sport is scheduled to open July 27.

Arizona, Chase Budinger, College Basketball, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, Olympics, Phoenix Suns
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Timberwolves Shunned 'Inside the NBA' Due to Draymond Green Criticism, per Report
31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Timberwolves Shunned ‘Inside the NBA’ Due to Draymond Green Criticism, per Report

After dispatching the Dallas Mavericks 105-100 on Tuesday in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves did something unusual. The team made none of its star players available afterward for Inside the NBA, TNT's venerable postgame show.

According to a Friday report from Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, there was a reason for that. It had to do with Golden State Warriors forward-turned-TV provocateur Draymond Green.

"(The Timberwolves had) such strong chemistry that it decided as a group that no player would appear on TNT’s Inside the NBA postgame show after their victory in Game 4 in Dallas, team sources told The Athletic," Charania and Krawczynski wrote. "The decision was a sign of support for (center Rudy) Gobert and (forward Karl-Anthony) Towns, who were the subject of derisive and seemingly personal criticism from panelist and Golden State forward Draymond Green."

Green attracted criticism throughout his TV run for his attitude toward Gobert in particular.

"Rudy sucks, not me! What did I do? I didn't do anything!" Green told Mavericks fans heckling him at one point.

Earlier this year, the NBA suspended Green indefinitely after he put Gobert in a headlock during a 104-101 Warriors loss in November.

Draymond Green, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA
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Luka Donćič Had Strange Reason for Not Revealing What Timberwolves Heckler Said to Him
31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Luka Donćič Had Strange Reason for Not Revealing What Timberwolves Heckler Said to Him

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic had a busy night on Thursday, as he helped the Mavericks defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, securing Dallas a berth in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. Doncic also took home MVP honors for the series in the process.

But one of the lasting images from Thursday night's game involved a heated moment between Doncic and a Timberwolves fan. During the third quarter, Doncic could be seen yelling NSFW words with such intensity at the fan who was seated near the baseline that Snoop Dogg, who was also sitting courtside, was left stunned.

Of course, everyone wanted to know what was said to Doncic to prompt the Mavericks star to make such an intense reply. But Doncic, during his postgame press conference declined to share what the Timberwolves fan said, saying, somewhat strangely, that he if he told anyone what was said to him, he "could sue" the Timberwolves fan.

“I can’t tell you," Doncic said. "If I tell you, I could sue him. But, you know, that gets me going. Everybody knows that.”

Whether Doncic was kidding or not, whether what the Timberwolves fan said was bad enough to warrant taking legal action, the Mavericks star did acknowledge that such trash talk "gets me going."

Let that be a warning to fans of the Boston Celtics, who the Mavericks will play in the NBA Finals, starting Thursday, June 6: Don't act like this Timberwolves fan did towards Doncic because it probably won't end well for your team.

Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA Playoffs
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Anthony Edwards Doubles Down on Promise to Get to Finals in Ad Day After Elimination
31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Anthony Edwards Doubles Down on Promise to Get to Finals in Ad Day After Elimination

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards' season is over, with the Timberwolves bowing out Thursday in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 124-103.

However, Edwards's story is still in its opening chapters. At the age of 22 this season, Edwards was named an All-Star for the second straight year, made second team All-NBA, and garnered down-ballot MVP votes—all while taking Minnesota to its first conference finals in two decades.

Friday morning, Edwards assured fans in an Adidas ad that he'd be back. The promo depicts Edwards being read "receipts" from celebrities such as longtime NBA forward Carmelo Anthony and rapper Cam'ron.

"I ain't tryna rub it in, but they saying this the furthest y'all gonna get," the last says.

Edwards chuckles pointedly.

"This only the beginning," Edwards vows. "'Cause I'm not who they think I am. I'm better. Believe that."

Edwards's first sneaker, the AE1, has received highly positive industry reviews throughout 2024.

Anthony Edwards, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Mavericks Advance to NBA Finals After Routing Timberwolves in Game 5
31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Mavericks Advance to NBA Finals After Routing Timberwolves in Game 5

The stage is officially set for the 2024 NBA Finals, as the Dallas Mavericks managed to close out the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

The Mavs' 124–103 win lifts the team to its first championship appearance since 2011, and there was never really a doubt for most of the contest after a dominant start from Luka Dončić, who scored 20 points in the first quarter.

As has been the case all playoffs long, Dallas put the ball into the hands of its tandem of star guards, Dončić and Kyrie Irving, and let them go to work. The two combined for 72 points in Thursday's series-clinching win and were tied for the game-high in scoring with 36 points apiece.

The Mavericks' other starters and role players lived up to their end of the billing, too, providing quality work on the glass and making life difficult for the Timberwolves offensively. Daniel Gafford's plus-minus of +27 was the highest in the game, and he and Dereck Lively II didn't miss a single field goal attempt between them (6-for-6) while combining for 17 rebounds.

In 17 games during the playoffs, Dončić is averaging 28.7 points per game as he’s helped guide the Mavs, who entered the postseason as the No. 5 seed in the West, through the conference gauntlet. He's now set for the first NBA Finals appearance of his career, where a showdown against the Boston Celtics awaits.

Game 1 is set for next Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. EST from the TD Garden in Boston, Mass.

Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Finals
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Luka Doncic’s NSFW Exchange With T-Wolves Fan in Game 5 Left Snoop Dogg Stunned
31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Luka Doncic’s NSFW Exchange With T-Wolves Fan in Game 5 Left Snoop Dogg Stunned

The Dallas Mavericks were not going to be stopped in Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the tandem of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving was dialed in offensively Thursday during what, barring a historic comeback, will be the closeout game of the Western Conference finals.

Holding a massive lead in the third quarter, Dončić wasn't shying away from hecklers in the crowd at the Target Center in Minneapolis. After making a difficult shot and drawing a foul at the basket, the 25-year-old could be overheard on the TNT broadcast clapping back at one of the hecklers.

"Yeah! Who's crying, motherf––er?" shouted Dončić, fired up after his and-one.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that the fan to whom Dončić responded was making a crying baby gesture toward the Mavs guard.

Snoop Dogg was sitting courtside at the Target Center and he had a front row seat to the highlight-reel play and the eye-opening exchange that followed. Needless to say, he was loving the intensity and looked utterly stunned by what Dončić was doing.

At that point in the game, Dončić and Irving were nearly outscoring the Timberwolves as a duo, and the star guard was letting the opposing fan base hear it while dominating and ensuring their season would end on their own court.

Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, Snoop Dogg
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Kevin Harlan Impressed Reggie Miller With Perfect Call of Chaotic Sequence in Game 5
31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Kevin Harlan Impressed Reggie Miller With Perfect Call of Chaotic Sequence in Game 5

Things got a bit sloppy during the first quarter of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves, as both teams turned the ball over on consecutive possessions leading to an utterly chaotic scene.

Fortunately for those viewing back at home, TNT's Kevin Harlan didn't miss a beat with his call, providing outstanding commentary of the moment in order to help fans better keep track of who had the ball amid the flurry of possession exchanges.

Even Reggie Miller had to take a moment to express his appreciation for Harlan's masterful call.

"How did you get that all in there?" he asked while laughing.

A Kyle Anderson turnover led to a mad scramble for possession, with the ball being tipped up in the air and batted toward Josh Green, who then sent a high bounce pass over to Daniel Gafford, who was fouled on at attempt at a layup.

Harlan was locked in, and he didn't miss a beat as he navigated the hectic play with precision, showcasing why he's heralded as one of the best in the business.

Dallas Mavericks, Kevin Harlan, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, Reggie Miller, TNT
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Timberwolves Coach Throws Shade at Mavericks, Refs Before Game 5
31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Timberwolves Coach Throws Shade at Mavericks, Refs Before Game 5

Just about 90 minutes before the opening tipoff of Game 5, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch made sure to point out an issue he has with the Dallas Mavericks and the officials working the Western Conference finals.

Finch was asked by The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski what he would like to see Anthony Edwards do better while guarding Mavericks star Luka Dončić in Game 5.

"He does a better job getting through all those illegal screens they set for Luka," Finch said.

Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, who was named to the All-NBA Defensive second team this season, primarily handled the matchup against Dončić over the first three games of the series. But the Wolves swapped the assignment in Game 4, switching McDaniels over to Kyrie Irving and putting Edwards on Dončić.

Dončić averaged 32.7 points over the first three games of the series and scored 28 in Game 4, but Edwards had noticeably more energy on the offensive end while not having to chase Irving around on defense.

Game 5 between the Timberwolves and Mavericks is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday at Target Center.

Anthony Edwards, Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Jamal Murray Not Suspended for Throwing Heat Pad Onto Court in Game 2
7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jamal Murray Not Suspended for Throwing Heat Pad Onto Court in Game 2

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray will not be suspended by the NBA for throwing a heat pad and a towel onto the court while on the bench during Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.

Although he won't miss any game action during the Western Conference semifinals, Murray didn't get off scot-free. The 27-year-old will be hit with a substantial fine of $100,000 for "throwing multiple objects in the direction of a game official during live play," according to a statement from the league.

Murray was on the bench with just under five minutes remaining in the second quarter of Monday night's game, when he was seen throwing the heating pad onto the court while play was live. The pad and towel landed next to the foot of Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored a layup on the play, and was removed moments later by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Officials did not stop play, and Murray did not receive a technical foul.

The Nuggets, already trailing 2–0 in the series, have managed to avoid what would've been a significant blow had Murray been suspended. Instead, he'll be available for Game 3 on Friday, which tips off from the Target Center at 9:30 p.m. ET.

In two games against the Timberwolves during the second round, Murray is averaging just 12.5 points and shooting 28.1% from the field.

Denver Nuggets, Jamal Murray, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA Playoffs
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Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert Wins Fourth Career NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert Wins Fourth Career NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award

Rudy Gobert is the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year once again.

The Minnesota Timberwolves center was named the winner of the defensive award Tuesday for the fourth time in his 11-year career.

Gobert received 72 first-place votes and 433 total points in the award voting, well ahead of San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama (19 first-place votes, 245 total points) in second place.

Gobert also was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the 2017–18, 2018–19 and 2020–21 campaigns.

In 76 games this season, Gobert registered a 104 defensive rating and 2.1 blocks per game. He was the centerpiece of Minnesota's top-ranked defense that led the NBA in defensive rating (108.4) and opponent points per game (106.5).

Gobert missed Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday because he and his partner Julia Bonilla welcomed their first-born child.

The Timberwolves still put on a defensive clinic, handily defeating the Denver Nuggets 106–80 at Ball Arena.

Gobert plans to return for Game 3 between the Timberwolves and Nuggets on Friday at Target Center.

Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, Rudy Gobert
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