The Top Lessons Learned From Minnesota's Eighth Straight Win

The Western Conference continues to be stacked because a 40-29 Timberwolves team is only good for seventh in the standings. It is the conference where every game matters, and Minnesota is making the most out of every game recently.

With an eight-game winning streak that included wins over the Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic, a blowout victory over the Utah Jazz is a good sign. It was a strong result not only for the record but for the team's big picture.

Anthony Edwards Deserves His Flowers As A Superstar

Everyone knows Anthony Edwards' caliber as a superstar by now, but he deserves more praise for what he has done in Minnesota. After the 2024 offseason when the Timberwolves traded away fellow All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, the pressure was on Ant to perform. 

This recent stretch has been fantastic for Edwards because he has cemented himself as one of the league's best players. His scoring is his best trait, but he is a competitive defender who can double as a playmaker. 

Against the Jazz, his scoring was on display with 41 points to his name. He shot an efficient 59.3% from the field, including five three-pointers. The majority of his production came in the first quarter when he scored 21 of his 41 points.

His performance made him the franchise's third-best scorer with 8,731 in total. The 41-point night also set the Timberwolves record for the most 40-point games in a season.  With these numbers, Edwards continues to cement himself as an undeniable superstar.

Jaden McDaniels Is A Budding Star For Minnesota

Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert are often discussed as the core trio for this team. That should not be the case because Jaden McDaniels has firmly established himself as one of the team's building blocks.

Previously seen as a defensive ace, McDaniels has proved he is more than just a defender. He has become a two-way star for the Timberwolves this season. That was proven by his performance against the Jazz, with a 20-point and 12-board double-double.

In March 2025, Jaden has averaged 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. This makes him one of the most dangerous players on the team because he has finally embraced his athleticism to take over games with his underrated scoring.

By combining this improved offense with his usual elite defense, McDaniels could become one of the Timberwolves' best players as they work towards a spot in the Playoffs.

Chris Finch Is The Right Man For the Job

When Chris Finch was hired as the Timberwolves' head coach in February 2021, some people were upset because David Vanterpool did not get the job. Thankfully, Finch has proven he has deserved the job with this win because it was the 200th of his career as a head coach. 

He has helped maximize the team's talents by giving everyone good opportunities. This includes the rookies who got a shot in this game because it was a blowout.

This is a good sign for the Timberwolves because they are in good hands with Finch. He is a superb tactician on both ends, as he knows how to set the players up for success. It is also great that the players absolutely love Finch as the head coach, which should be good for the long-term future.