Upset Timberwolves fans must consider players' off-court lives

Minnesota top two offensive players have been dealing with real life stuff away from basketball.

Timberwolves fans up in arms over back-to-back home losses to the Kings and Clippers over the weekend might need to a take a deep breath and consider all of the variables that might be playing role in what appears to be a temporary downturn. 

In fact, it was stated quite well by longtime Timberwolves insider Jon Krawczynski on X (Twitter) when he addressed the team's difficulties in the last two games. 

"Anthony Edwards just had a baby two days ago and Karl-Anthony Towns buried a high school teammate and friend not even a week ago. Does not excuse the loss. But I think it’s a little chaotic right now. Unsettled," Krawczynski wrote. 

"Yes it’s the same issues that were going on before those events occurred. So I’m not saying that’s THE reason for the struggle. But I think there could be a little lack of focus right now as they try to resolve those issues. Doesn’t seem unreasonable."

Edwards left Friday's game against Sacramento for personal reasons, which turned out to be his partner giving birth to their baby. 

Towns missed last Tuesday's game against the Spurs for personal reasons, which has since been revealed that he was away from the team following the death of his high school teammate.

"To my brother, you were more than my teammate and our captain, you were simply one of my best friends. Love you and will miss you tremendously," Towns wrote in a tribute to Danny Brix, who died Feb. 21 at the age of 30.

Nobody knows how much of an impact the off-the-court stuff is having on Edwards and Towns, but both are dealing with major life events that can't be understated. 

On the court, the loss to the Kings came on a night when Malik Monk went on one of his nuclear-hot stretches from late in the third quarter through overtime and Minnesota simply had no answer for him. And let's get real: if Edwards doesn't leave that game in the first half, the Wolves likely win. 

Against the Clippers, it was a one-point loss to one of the Western Conference favorites. There's no shame in that, especially when James Harden is getting free walking passes in crunch time. 

At the end of the day the Timberwolves are 42-19 and still battling with the Thunder, Nuggets and Clippers for the top spot in the Western Conference. Two close losses to high-quality teams is not reason to panic – especially when star players are dealing with heavy stuff off the court. 

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Mar 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is introduced prior to the game against the LA Clippers at Target Center / Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports