The Minnesota Timberwolves will finish off a six-game road trip when they visit Salt Lake City for a pair of games against the Utah Jazz.
The Timberwolves, who haven’t played since their huge come-from-behind win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, first play the Jazz (29-37) on Saturday night. The teams will play a second game at the Delta Center on Monday night.
Coming into the two-game matchup, Minnesota (45-21) finds itself 1.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets (47-20) and a half-game back of the Oklahoma City Thunder (46-20) atop the Western Conference standings.
The Timberwolves did themselves a big favor by rallying from a 22-point deficit at Los Angeles in a 118-100 win in a dizzying 40-point turnaround. It was the team’s biggest comeback since 2012.
“We definitely framed this game as a huge game for us, as a bounce back from our performance from the other night,” said Minnesota coach Chris Finch, whose team had dropped two games in a row. “Team’s not lost three in a row all year, and I think that was important to them as well. There were a lot of reasons this was a big game.”
One reason was the fact that Minnesota won after losing Karl-Anthony Towns, who underwent surgery to repair a torn left meniscus. And the victory helped them maintain a lead, now three games, over the fourth-place Clippers (42-24).
“It was no secret, it was probably the biggest game of the season for us so far,” Timberwolves guard Mike Conley said. “Having lost a couple in a row, the way we lost them, who we’re playing, the Clippers are right with us in seeding, so it meant a lot.”
Saturday’s game will mean a lot to Conley, no doubt. It will be the first time he’s played in Utah since being traded to Minnesota — along with Nickeil Alexander-Walker — in February 2023. Conley played for the Jazz for 3.5 years, providing steady leadership and reliable point guard play on a team that included now-teammate Rudy Gobert.
The Jazz come into this game after playing at home on Friday night.
Shorthanded Utah used three rookies in the starting lineup, including leading scorer Keyonte George, who had 25 points. Brice Sensabaugh added 14 points and Taylor Hendricks hauled in 10 rebounds and swatted three shots in the 124-122 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
With Jordan Clarkson (right groin strain), Lauri Markkanen (quad contusion) and Kris Dunn (rest) out Friday, the Jazz relied on a crew of young guys to snap a three-game losing streak. Former Salt Lake City Stars teammates Johnny Juzang (19 points) and Micah Potter (11 points) also played well.
“Obviously, the G League makes sure that we have our confidence high that we’re prepared to come out ready to play when our names (called) up here,” Potter said. “So (we’re) really happy about it.”
Added Juzang: “It’s awesome to be a part of. I mean, obviously it’s a great organization and a great team. I love my teammates and coaches, so it’s just fun to be out there, share the floor and get a win.”
Gobert (left rib sprain), Kyle Anderson (shoulder) and Monte Morris (hamstring) are questionable for Minnesota.
The two teams have played twice this season, with Minnesota winning both at home — 123-95 on Nov. 4 and 101-90 on Nov. 30.
–Field Level Media
