Minnesota Timberwolves

Sacramento Kings learn lessons in 119-115 loss to Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center, spoiling chance to clinch NBA playoff berth.

“But I give them a lot of credit for the way they came out and aggressively took it to us on the offensive end of the floor by scoring. Not getting turnovers, while the Timberwolves shot 51.2% from the floor, made things tough on the Kings’ ability to speed the game up and get more open shots. The Kings for the season came in averaging 13.8 made 3s per game, good for fifth in the NBA. Keegan Murray came into the game needing three 3-pointers to tie Donovan Mitchell for the single-season rookie record (187), but he made just 1 of 6 on Monday. “Just the pace of the game, the shots we were taking. “It’s going to have to be more of a defensive-oriented game, because at the end of the day they’re just going to push out on our guys (at the 3-point line). Pair Gobert with the likes of 6-9 wing Jaden McDaniels and life can be tough on offenses that prioritize driving and kicking out to shooters like the Kings have all season. When you got a three-time defensive player of the year sitting in the paint impacting you at the rim, they’re going to give up those (two-point shots).” “The last two times we played them, we felt like we played their game,” guard Kevin Huerter said. Minnesota with the win hopped past the Golden State Warriors, whom they beat on Sunday, for the No. Monday’s result gave the Timberwolves the edge in the season series, 3-1, in a possible first-round playoff matchup. In turn, the Kings made a season-low five 3-pointers on a season-worst 18.5% shooting clip.