Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch stressed the need for improved shot selection after Monday’s 108-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns at Target Center.
“We got to shoot the ball better… for the most part, I thought we got some decent looks,” Finch said, acknowledging moments where the team could have created higher-quality opportunities.
Finch noted that Rudy Gobert’s ejection in the third quarter disrupted the team’s spacing, saying he had not yet reviewed the play. The Timberwolves struggled with ball containment against Phoenix’s pick-and-rolls and cuts, forcing defensive adjustments late in the game. “A lot of it was actually ball contain… as the game went on, we kind of adjusted,” he explained.
The coach highlighted the contribution of Bones Hyland, who received more playing time in an attempt to ignite the bench. “He’s been patient… we just need a spark there,” Finch said, praising Hyland’s quicker play and decision-making against Phoenix’s defense.
Anthony Edwards carried Minnesota’s offense with 40 points on 15-for-21 shooting, while Julius Randle added 21 points and eight assists. However, the Timberwolves’ supporting cast struggled to convert open shots, with Naz Reid going 2-for-12 and Donte DiVincenzo finishing 1-for-7 from the floor.
Finch emphasized that team readiness impacted both offense and defense. “Sometimes it’s really, really good, other times it’s lacking a little… I think it’s just readiness,” he said, noting that fast-paced switches and catch-and-shoot situations exposed gaps in execution.
Minnesota held a slight edge in overall shooting at 47 percent versus Phoenix’s 46 percent, but the Timberwolves were just 11-for-42 from three-point range. The Suns’ balanced scoring, anchored by Mark Williams’ 22 points and Collin Gillespie’s 19, and a decisive 14-3 fourth-quarter run, proved too much to overcome.
With the loss, Minnesota’s five-game winning streak ended, dropping the team to 15-9, while Phoenix improved to 14-10. Finch’s squad will look to regain momentum on Friday when they visit the Golden State Warriors, while the Suns prepare for Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal against the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
