Without any of their five typical Summer League starters, the Wolves built and then blew a 17 point lead to throw away their chance at a perfect record in Vegas.
Game Story
There was a point where this recap was going to be a celebration of Tristen Newton and Amari Bailey. There was a point where I was going to joke that the Wolves will leave tied for the best winning percentage in the Las Vegas Summer League. There was a point where the Minnesota Timberwolves were leading by 17.
Unfortunately, that is not what this recap is now. Instead, the Wolves completely fell apart in the second half, leading to a disastrous fourth quarter and, ultimately, a loss.
It was simply ugly. It got particularly bad when a challenged call saw Minnesota miss out on three free throws. From there on out, it felt like there was no rhythm and no urgency. Admittedly, after a few weeks in Vegas, I can’t imagine people caring much.
The starters were +29 in total. The bench was a disturbingly bad -45. That is the story of this game.
Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
Funny enough, the two competitors would’ve finished as mirrors of each other no matter what. The Rockets came into this one 0-4, while the Wolves were on the search for the final W of an undefeated Summer League.
For the Houston Rockets, Kevon Harris took over as part of an undersized lineup that the Wolves had no answer for. His 19 points were matched by Amari Bailey’s 17, all scored in the first three quarters. Tristen Newton added 24 of his own.
While Newton will assumedly keep his spot as one of the three two-way deals, the question now comes to Bailey. Second round pick Rocco Zikarsky will take the second of those contracts, so that leaves only one available deal between Bailey, who was consistently a difference maker this summer, and Jesse Edwards, who held that position last year.
Can confirm there was some thunder from down under courtesy of Rocco Zikarsky ⚡⚡⚡
— Canis Hoopus (@canishoopus.bsky.social) 2025-07-19T23:11:35.475Z
Personally, I’d love to see Bailey take that spot. Edwards seems to lack any skillset that sets him apart, although he is certainly okay at a few things. Bailey may not particularly be a difference maker, but it feels like his potential outcomes could be more important for a Wolves team that will suddenly already be rostering three centers.
For those who want to hear about actual difference makers for the 2025-26 Timberwolves, this was not the game for you. All five of Rob Dillingham, Terrance Shannon Jr, Jaylen Clark, Joan Beringer, and Leonard Miller will held out with DNP-Coach’s Decision.
This leaves us with painfully little to discuss. The most likely course of action here is that every player who played for Minnesota tonight, with the exception of those four aforementioned two-way contract contenders, will spend the entire year outside of the NBA unless a freak opportunity presents itself.
Still, Summer League taught us a few things about the skills that the organization wants to see from their three returning rotation pieces.
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
For Terrance Shannon Jr, the focus was very clearly placed on his playmaking. Minnesota head coach Chris Finch has been talking about his read and react, drive and kick offense since he arrived. TSJ has bought into that as the terrorizing rim runs were suddenly supplemented by acrobatic kick outs and dump offs.
Jaylen Clark is continuing to become more of himself. While the questions for Shannon and the to-be-discussed point guard are of how high they can fly, the question for Clark is how good of a connective piece he can become. He is already a credible defender, a shockingly good offensive rebounder for his height, and can hit a few open threes. Can he force his way into the rotation? Who knows, but he should be Clockwork Orange-ing himself with Alex Caruso film.
Rob Dillingham, on the other hand, has entirely reworked shot mechanics. Where his jumper used to crest in front of his face on a jump that way clearly way too high, it now has a higher release point and a much less bouncy start up. The passing continues to be promising, but calling it new or improved would likely be overstating.
Dillingham’s promise and role for this season are ultimate the storyline of the season. If Rob fails to live up to expectations, this team will be forced to continue to start a version of Mike Conley that is clearly on the last gasp of his career.
If he succeeds, however, Minnesota will have their backcourt-mate for Anthony Edwards for the next decade.
The answer likely lies somewhere in between the best case and worst case scenarios. Still, it’s not hyperbolic to say that his up and down four games has some fans worried, while the flashes have others expecting huge things from the second year guard.
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
That is the state of the Timberwolves as we approach pre-season. If you want to watch basketball that matters, the Lynx will be returning soon. If you want entertainment, the Stud Budz are probably live. If you wanted both, today’s game was not for you.