Look at the absurdly dominant Timberwolves defensive stats

Fun fact: Minnesota's defense has actually allowed the highest field-goal percentage on shots from 15-19 feet during this dominant run.

Nov 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; LA Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) drives towards the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) and guard Mike Conley (10) defend during the first quarter of an NBA Cup game at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

In a world where scoring is king, the Minnesota Timberwolves are once again bucking the trend by playing defense that is miles ahead of any other team in the league.

Oklahoma City plays strong defense and so does Houston, Orlando and a number of other teams, but the way the Timberwolves have played since Black Friday (Nov. 29) is ridiculously good.

Category	Wolves since 11/29	Next best
Defensive rating (DRTG)	92.8	Thunder 103.5
Opponent FG%	40.5%	Thunder 43.4%
Opponent TO rate	19.3 per game	2 teams at 18.4
Opponent paint points	39.7 per game	2 teams at 42.0
Opponent 3PM	10.7 per game	Knicks 11.0
Opponent 3PT%	28.6%	Grizzlies 30.9%

Opponents are shooting crude percentages from almost everywhere on the floor against Minnesota since Nov. 29. What's wild to see is that the Wolves are actually dead last in opponent field-goal percentage on longer mid-range shots from 15-19 feet but dominant everywhere else on the floor.

• Opponent FG% less than 5 feet: 60.6% (ranks 7th)

• Opponent FG% 5-9 feet: 33.3% (ranks 1st)

• Opponent FG% 10-14 feet: 32.7% (rank 3rd)

• Opponent FG% 15-19 feet: 65.5% (ranks 32nd)

• Opponent FG% 20-24 feet: 30.4% (ranks 2nd)

• Opponent FG% 25-29 feet: 28.2% (ranks 3rd)

The fact that teams are hitting on such a high percentage of the least efficient shots in the game (long 2s) is a sign that Minnesota's stingy defense might get even stingier if teams stop making such a high percentage from 15-19 feet.

Minnesota has found its groove and the ultimate show-and-tell opportunity comes Thursday night when the host Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks on national television.