Hawks at Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have lost 12 games in a row and their last victory came on Jan. 9, but when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday they will face one of three NBA teams with fewer victories. The Hawks have won just 13 times this season, but six of those wins have come in 16 games since the beginning of January, and even with just 10 players available Monday, Atlanta pushed Boston before falling at home 123-115.
Trae Young continues to be the centerpiece of Atlanta’s rebuild, the second-year point guard entering Tuesday fifth in the NBA in scoring (29.2 points) and second in assists (9.0), but he focused on matching his career high with nine turnovers after Monday’s defeat. “I turned it over way too many times tonight,” Young told the media after scoring 34 points with seven assists. “That’s a big part of why we lost.” The Timberwolves have come close on numerous occasions to ending their skid, losing by seven points or fewer seven times – including Monday’s 113-109 defeat at Sacramento in which Andrew Wiggins missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with one second remaining. “We’re scratching and clawing, and it’s tough,” Minnesota coach Ryan Saunders told the media afterward.
TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: FS Southeast, FS North
ABOUT THE HAWKS (13-38): Forward John Collins recorded his 13th double-double of the season Monday with 22 points and 11 rebounds, and in his past four games has four double-doubles while averaging 23.3 points and 13.5 rebounds. Forward Kevin Huerter is shooting 40.2 percent from 3-point range on the season after going 5-for-11 Monday, and across his past three games is 13-for-26 from long range. Atlanta was without several key players Monday, including rookie starters De’Andre Hunter (left ankle sprain) and Cam Reddish (concussion protocol).
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (15-34): Center Karl-Anthony Towns has not played in a victory in seven games since returning from injury, but is averaging 27.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in that span with four games of 30-plus points. Guard Shabazz Napier scored 17 points with seven assists Monday, and across his past four games is averaging 12 points, 9.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds with a triple-double Jan. 25 against Oklahoma City (10 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists). Minnesota is next-to-last in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 32.6 percent.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Young scored 30 or more points in 25 games this season (third-most in the NBA).
2. Towns collected 22 points and 10 rebounds Monday to record his 257th career double-double, moving him into second place on the Timberwolves franchise list.
3. Minnesota took three of their past four against Atlanta at home.