Inside The Nets

Game Preview and Injury Report: Brooklyn Nets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Nets look to bounce back after a loss to the Raptors.

Peter Sunjic

© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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Brooklyn is facing some problems, as the team organization dismissed head coach Jacque Vaughn. After Vaughn's exit, the Nets struggled and lost to the Raptors on Thursday, 121-93, with interim head coach Kevin Ollie in charge.

With this upcoming game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nets will be playing against the best team in the Western Conference. It is one of the most challenging games Brooklyn will play this season, and it's up to Ollie and his players to pull off a massive upset.

Minnesota is a top-tier team

The Timberwolves have arguably been the best team in the league this season, especially when you compare that to pre-season expectations. Most fans tapped the Nuggets to dominate the West, but Minnesota took charge this season and became the top seed.

That has been due to the stellar defense spearheaded by Defensive Player of the Year favorite Rudy Gobert. His presence in the paint has made Target Center a fortress, given he locks down the paint and intimidates any player who tries to go for a layup. Offensively, the Wolves are also superb, led by Anthony Edwards and another All-Star-caliber player in Karl-Anthony Towns. 

Brooklyn's players and Ollie will face a tough challenge against the T-Wolves, given the defense might not be up to par. While Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith can stay in front of Edwards, defending a twin-tower of Gobert and Towns is nearly impossible.

Mikal and Cameron Thomas will also have a rough time scoring the ball because Ant and Jaden McDaniels are superb defenders who can match their strength and speed.

Injury report

The Nets have a clear injury report for this game besides seldom-used Dariq Whitehead, who's out indefinitely with a shin stress injury. Similarly, the Wolves only have one player on the injury report, with Jaylen Clark being out indefinitely due to an Achilles heel injury.

Minnesota will be playing on a back-to-back, so there might be some late scratches. After their loss to the Bucks in the first leg of the back-to-back, expect them to have more motivation to perform, which will be tough for Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Nets' future plans: Mikal Bridges as a complementary piece

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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