Porzingis abuses Rudy Gobert and the sad Wolves

It’s like the season is trying to show the Timberwolves that no, that it will not be his year despite the gigantic all in what was he (questionable but ultra ambitious) transfer by Rudy Gobert. It was a course for go all out, to make a first-class leap after their invigorating ticket to the 2022 playoffs (eliminated by the Grizzlies in the first round) and in a West wide open and where the hierarchies are not even very clear yet. But it seems that No. In a season of some lights and many shadows, the bad things for the Wolves continue to be sent: After taking 137 points from the Warriors, the answer was nil in Washington, 142-127 for Wizards who are a more or less stable team although without a high ceiling (11-10 now). The Wolves are again below 50% (10-11).

And the worst of all was, for the visitors, the injury of Karl-Anthony Towns, struck down in the third quarter by a leg injury that seemed serious and according to the first tests it is not so much. It seems that it will remain in a muscular problem. Important, yes. So the search for chemistry in that strange style that wants to integrate Towns and Gobert will have to continue waiting, now by force and while the former recovers. When Towns got injured, Wolves were trying to make up what in the first part had been a totally improper performance: 77-58 after being 73-46. With Gobert literally lost by track (-28 in that first part), without knowing what to do or where to position himself and only something else located later, when there was not much to do (final 19+7). D’Angelo Russell started well (13 of his 17 points in the first quarter) but nothing else, and Anthony Edwards scored again (29 points) but again with avoidable turnovers (7 total).

Between lost balls and terrible disconnections in defense, the Wolves left the game with a bang and gave a calamitous image in that first half from which they no longer recovered (and less after the blow that was Towns’ injury). Jaden McDaniels is missing, the only one who puts some defensive cohesion (so to speak). And Gobert’s presence doesn’t stop the team from being a drama in protecting his rim. This time Kristaps Porzingis reached the top of his career (it was 40): 41 points with 12/18 shooting and his six triples (6/10) scored in a first half in which the Latvian (29 points) abused a transparent rival. If the rival is lazy, and this was very weakthe Wizards are compliant. Kyle Kuzma, who is at a great level, finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. And Bradley Beal with 22 points and 5 basket passes. The Wizards remain in the Eastern playoff zone.

The Suns are the best team in the West.

Like last season, and although it seemed that things had definitely gone wrong after his ugly Elimination in the playoffs (the disaster against the Mavs, the bad faces of Ayton, the rumors without destination of Kevin Durant…), The Suns are once again the most reliable team in a West that is looking for references. While the Warriors fix their horrible start to the season, the Arizonans are there, in front (14-6) just behind the two beasts from the east (Four and five losses for Celtics and Bucks). In Sacramento, they won with great merit (117-122) against some Kings that this year are no joke and that they have managed to make their pavilion electrified territory.

The Suns are racking up wins despite playing without two starters: Chris Paul, obviously an essential player, and Cam Johnson. And with him Jae Crowder affair still unresolved and in constant market efforts. But they are still a great team, that always competes and that goes to exchanges of blows like this, against some Kings that when they hit, they did. really. And that they did not give up even when they accumulated disadvantages in the last quarter. Now they remain in a still positive 10-9, three straight losses (the last against Celtics and Suns, yes) after accumulating seven victories in his best moment in recent years. Their competitive level suggests that they will continue to win as soon as the calendar takes a breather.

Devin Booker, who came from a few games below his exceptional bar, jHe played at a wonderful level: 44 points, 17/28 shooting, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals and a tremendous management of his more than 41 minutes on court. They were accompanied, as always, by Bridges (13+8+7) and Ayton (17+12), as well as another important appearance (he has had several this season) from the bench (15 points) by Damion Lee. Great teams always find ways to win. In the Kings, 17+9+10 by Domantas Sabonis, 30 points and 8 assists from the bench by Malik Monk, 18 points without aim from the line of three by Kevin Huerter and only 11 points and 5 assists by De’Aaron Fox.