Thanks to the ESPYs in Los Angeles (just a four-hour drive from Las Vegas), the Minnesota Timberwolves were without Zach LaVine and Tyus Jones.
It was a big hit for the Wolves as they opened up the Summer League tournament with an 82-77 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Wining isn’t stressed too much in Summer League, it’s mostly about development. There were some positives during Wednesday night’s game at the Thomas & Mack Center.
C.J. Williams got the start for Zach LaVine. He erupted early, scoring seven points (3-of-4 from the field) in the first five minutes of play. The former teammate of Lorenzo Brown at NC State was prepared when head coach Ryan Saunders gave him the nod and did a good job of taking shots within the offense.
“That shows that we had great ball movement,” Saunders said. “When you’re getting shots in the corner it just shows that the play is running all the way through… It’s a credit to C..J.”
While it was nice to see Williams make the most of his opportunity, No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns had his best quarter and ultimately game of Summer League, finishing with nine points and four rebounds in the opening 10 minutes. After committing nine foul in two of his first three games, he had none in the first quarter. Overall, he just looked more comfortable and he continue to make all the right basketball plays.
“I don’t play the game for myself,” Towns said. “I play for my team. The way you have to win a game is everyone has to be involved. Not one player is going to win a game for a team.”
It wasn’t enough, though, as the Wolves trailed 28-19 after the first quarter.
But that’s when the comeback came. The Wolves took a 54-53 lead in the third quarter after Brandon Fields hit a midrange jumper. Portland would rebound, though, and never looked back.
Towns led the Wolves with 20 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, two assists and three blocks. Brown was solid once again, finishing with 16 points. Adreian Payne came off the bench and managed to score 13 points. Williams and Jeffers scored 10 points each.
Portland was led by Noah Vonleh’s 16 points and 10 rebounds. Tim Frazier added 14 points while recently-acquired Arnette Moultrie pitched in 10.
Minnesota was great from the free-throw line, shooting 22-of-25.
LEADER OF THE PACK
Karl-Anthony Towns showed fans why he was the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. With no LaVine or Jones, someone had to step up. That was Towns. The former Kentucky big had 15 points and six boards after the first half and finished with his second double-double of the Summer League.
“I think we saw KAT make a lot of strides,” Saunders said. “20 and 10 and he made a conscious effort to play without fouling. He did a good job of that.”
HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
We’ve talked about Towns’ ability to pass the ball at a high rate since the beginning of Summer League. It should be no surprise that he made another great pass to a cutting Adreian Payne on Wednesday night.
NUMBERS GAME
- After having nine fouls in two of the last three games, Towns had just two on Wednesday night.
- The Blazers had 11 steals compared to the Timberwolves’ mark of five.
- Keith Bogans played 18 minutes. Bogans is 35 years old.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Wolves will play on Friday at 5:30 p.m. CDT against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Thomas & Mack Center.