NBA
Which Minnesota Timberwolves players are injured for Game 2 against Dallas?
The Target Centre in Minneapolis hosts the second game of the series as the Timberwolves look to get back on level terms.
A narrow 108-105 Game 1 win on Wednesday for Dallas bucked a trend that has seen the Mavs fall short in their opening games in the playoffs. For much of the fourth quarter it did however look that Dallas would remain true to their tradition of slipping up in Game 1 before Luka Doncic and P.J. Washington took centre stage to fire the Mavs ahead and hold out to record the win.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was far from pleased with Wednesday’s showing as he pointed out the team’s errors as part of a video debriefing session on Thursday.
Speaking after the meeting with his players, the 54-year-old claimed: “It was a rough film session, I told the guys, ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve been this disappointed in your effort. Your performance, your attitude, your application and attention to detail just wasn’t there.’
“The Western Conference finals started. Not sure if they got the memo. But they got it (Thursday) afternoon.”
Anthony Edwards cut a discreet figure in Game 1 and it required Jaden McDaniels to step up to the plate as he led the Timberwolves with 24 points.
“I think Jaden was the only one who came ready to play (in Game 1), and I think everybody else let him down,” Edwards said. “So, I think if we bring our best brand of basketball on Friday, I think we’ll see what type of game it will be.”
Conley still out
The 36-year-old Conley is still still the only Timberwolves player on the NBA injury list for Game 2 as he recovers from a right soleus strain. The Wolves player missed Game 1 but speaking on his injury sounded upbeat: “It’s getting better. With these things, you play 38 minutes, it’s going to be sore for the next couple of days. If you get a lot of treatment, a lot of rest, like I’ve had over the last few days, it feels really good going into the game; it’s just going to be one of those cycles you have to deal with”.
The Minnesota Timberwolves face Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Friday night with a 8:30 pm (ET) start.