Minnesota walks into San Antonio at 4-2, seventh in the conference after a 127-101 dismissal of the Clippers. It will do it without Anthony Edwards, sidelined by his right knee, and without Rudy Gobert, ruled out with a back issue, which makes the numbers below heavier than usual.
The Defense Still Leads
Start with 102.4, Minnesota's defensive rating, set against a 116.8 offensive mark for a net of 14.4. That is the identity Chris Finch has built: length on the wing and a team that makes every possession cost something. What it does not prove is durability. Six games is a small sample, and it includes close losses at Cleveland and to Golden State. Gobert, whose 12.3 rebounds lead the rotation, misses tonight, and the Spurs bring Victor Wembanyama at 25.0 points and 11.4 rebounds. No test of that number so far has been harder.
McDaniels Carries More
Edwards had scored 33.3 points a game across four games before his knee put him out, and he is projected back Dec. 21. The weight has shifted to McDaniels, who added seven assists against the Clippers and finished plus 22. Dunking with Wolves has written about his improved playmaking on the ball, and that night fit the description. LaMelo Ball sits at 15.2 points and 6.7 assists in 26.0 minutes, and he hit 6 of 14 threes for 24 points against Los Angeles. Dunking with Wolves expects the Spurs to test how he handles physicality. A game Minnesota led by 29 is no stress test for either player.
The Bench and the Bill
The bench scored 49 of the 127 against the Clippers, led by Bones Hyland's 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes. Jaylen Clark was plus 23 in 17 minutes, the best mark on the team, and Dunking with Wolves has argued he is pushing for a rotation spot. One blowout does not settle a rotation. The money explains why that depth matters. Payroll is $215.3M against a $200.4M tax line, Edwards and Ball account for $48.9M and $40.8M, and the 2027 and 2028 firsts are tied up in swaps, so help has to come from within. The current pace projects to 55-27 with 76 games left, two games clear of 11th. It says the start was real, not that it will hold.
Is Rudy Gobert playing against the Spurs?
No. Gobert is out with a back injury and is projected to return Nov. 2 against the Bucks.
When will Anthony Edwards return for the Timberwolves?
Edwards is out with his right knee and is projected to return Dec. 21. Until then Minnesota leans on McDaniels, Ball and its bench.
