The last time the Wolves beat the Charlotte Hornets at home, Rudy Gobert was no Timberwolf, Jarred Vanderbilt had a double-double and Patrick Beverley scored 15 points.

It took two and a half years to accomplish a likely feat that likely wouldn’t have existed Monday night at Target Center.

Given the nature of the schedule, a loss from Charlotte was particularly timely; An emotional win over Denver on Friday night set up a clash in San Antonio that culminated 20 hours later. They ran out of gas and overturned.

They needed the opposite against a team they had previously rolled out the ball against and lost (2-7 in their last nine games against Charlotte). They did it.

That didn’t seem to be the case at first. While Anthony Edwards got off to his typically good start with 10 points in the first quarter, Jaden McDaniels continued his struggles, picking up two early fouls with 6:25 left in the first period. It was the sign of a starting five that got off to a shaky start as a unit and, as expected, had yet to fully examine each other.

“We need to find a rhythm with our starting group,” head coach Chris Finch said after the game.

It’s important to keep pointing out that this is a lineup that has only been together for less than two months, but with a massive size advantage has found a groove and solidified to form an important part of a defensive effort that the Hornets initially only brought half points to 45 points. Mike Conley spoke after the game about the efforts that were beneficial moving forward.

“Rim protection. Paint protection,” Conley said. “They made a lot of difficult finishes, but that’s what we want… You feel like that can work to our advantage over the course of a game and put us in situations where we can get out in transition.”

Conley found his rhythm after a slower start to the season and scored 11 points (a season-high) on his best shooting night to date.

While the starting eleven overcame some difficulties and continued to act offensively, in the end it was the bench that put things in order and slammed the door shut early.

Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

The second unit steals the show

“Naz Reid and the Big Ragu” sounds like it could be a band name. It is also the name of the duo that came off the bench and led the Wolves with a plus-33 and completely took over the game.

Donte DiVincenzo has proven valuable in leading the backup point guard duties, but before Monday it felt like there was a little more left in the tank as he was able to build better chemistry with those around him as well as some of his easier ones Catches have been canceled out and the shooting looks more consistent.

“He has the green light to shoot it wherever, whenever,” Finch said.

Both proved true on Monday and seeing him and Reid on the floor together was a sight to behold. He brought a lot of energy that was infectious and involved everyone.

The second unit has never really been a problem. Whether it was Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the closing stages, DiVincenzo’s ability to move the ball and play deft defense, or the offensive pop Reid provides night in and night out, it has often been the job of the bench so far this year , to get the Wolves out of a jam or extend the lead so the starters can get back in and hold it.

“Bench was huge,” Finch added. “I have 8 starters… I’m really spoiled for choice.”

DiVincenzo and Reid combined for 39 points off the bench and provided a spark, mixing some of the starting players together to get into a groove. NAW added a plus-22 of his own despite going just 1-for-6 from the field.

The ball movement will do that.

Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

knick-knacks

• Rob Dillingham saw its first extended action in Garbage Time later in the fourth part. He came into the offense early and was incredibly decisive. Although Finch has been hesitant to play him at this point in the season, I would imagine the lack of ball-stopping on Monday is a step in the right direction so he can see some minutes as the season begins or reaches its halfway point Mike Conley inevitably misses some games.

• Rudy Gobert was once again incredibly back and forth. He had his typical dominant moments in the team, but pushed a little too hard on offense at times. However, he finished the game with an uncharacteristic four assists.

Next

Minnesota will make a quick trip to Chicago to face the Bulls on Thursday. A win is expected since the Bulls aren’t very good, but not guaranteed. The last time the Wolves won at the United Center was in 2018. You read that right.

Highlights