Sleeping giant Timberwolves defense has awakened

Minnesota's buzzsaw defense is the best in the NBA over the past two weeks.

Dec 4, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland (5) dribbles against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) during the third quarter at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images / Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Maybe the Timberwolves' ferocious defense just needed a little time to warm up. Kind of like a diesel truck on a subzero winter day in Minnesota.

Based on two weeks of results, the defense is warmed up and blasting down the NBA freeway.

After demolishing the Lakers and Clippers by scores of 109-80 and 108-80, respectively, the Timberwolves own the NBA's top-rated defense over the last seven games. The 102.2 defensive rating is No. 1 by a significant margin, with the next best more than three points back (Houston, 105.5).

For the season, the Timberwolves are No. 6 with a 108.6 defensive rating. Clearly, the ship has been righted.

In the last seven games, Minnesota's opponents are shooting 43.8% from the field. That's the worst shooting percentage in the league over that stretch. From 3-point range, opponents are an NBA-worst 32.2%.

Who have been the best Wolves defenders during this tear?

Player	Season D-rating	D-rating last 7 games
Nickeil Alexander-Walker	103.2	98.9
Rudy Gobert	105.0	100.4
Donte DiVincenzo	106.3	101.1
Mike Conley	106.9	95.9
Naz Reid	107.6	97.7
Anthony Edwards	108.8	102.2
Jaden McDaniels	110.0	105.5
Julius Randle	110.2	104.7

James Harden shot 8-of-30 in two games versus Minnesota during this stretch.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis were a combined 8-of-30 shooting.

Fred VanVleet was 10-of-25. Alperun Sengun was 9-of-23 from the field.

Jayson Tatum was 8-of-21 and combined with Al Horford (3-of-10) and Jrue Holiday (3-of-10), the three Celtics starters shot just 14-of-41.

The Timberwolves appear to have rediscovered the defensive identity that made them a juggernaut last season. Two weeks is nothing to scoff at, but they'll need this type of play for the next four months if they are to be considered a serious contender in a league full of good teams.