Timberwolves Fall to 76ers in Preseason Finale
In their final tune-up before the regular season, the Minnesota Timberwolves fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 115-107 on Friday night. The Timberwolves struggled to find their rhythm offensively, shooting just 42% from the field.
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for Minnesota. The team's two teenage rookie centers, Chet Holmgren and Victor Oladipo, held their own against 76ers superstar Joel Embiid. Holmgren finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Oladipo added 9 points and 6 rebounds.
Rookie Bigs Impress Against MVP Candidate
Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, played 28 minutes and put up 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. But the Timberwolves' young frontcourt duo more than held their own, showcasing the team's promising future in the paint.
"I thought our rookie bigs did a really nice job," Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said after the game. "They were physical, they competed, and they showed why we're excited about their potential."
Offensive Struggles, but Positives to Build On
Overall, it was a mixed bag for the Timberwolves, who are looking to build on last season's Western Conference Finals appearance. The offense sputtered at times, but the strong defensive effort and the impressive play of Holmgren and Oladipo provided encouragement heading into the regular season.
TL;DR
- The Timberwolves lost their preseason finale to the 76ers 115-107 in a game that saw them struggle offensively.
- Rookie centers Chet Holmgren and Victor Oladipo impressed, holding their own against MVP candidate Joel Embiid.
- While the offense was inconsistent, the Timberwolves' young frontcourt duo showed promise for the regular season.