Ranking the Timberwolves' five toughest games in February

Frankly, Minnesota should breeze through the month as the top team in the West.

Author:
Nolan O'Hara for Bring Me The Sports
Publish date:
Jan 30, 2024 6:45 PM EST

In this story:

The 2024 calendar is already flipping to February. That means winter is coming to an end — although it feels like it’s over already — Valentine’s Day is around the corner and so is the NBA trade deadline, along with another month of NBA basketball.

Frankly, February looks like it should be pretty kind to the Timberwolves. In all honesty, they shouldn't have too tough a time staying atop the Western Conference standings throughout the month, assuming their can stick with their brand of basketball and improve on some of the late-game issues that have plagued them in recent weeks.

If they can do that, they should breeze through February. Still, here is a look at the five toughest game for the Timberwolves in the month of February:

5. at Portland Trail Blazers, Feb. 13

You might think this one is a joke. The Trail Blazers are among the Western Conference’s bottom feeders, currently at 14th place in the standings with just a 14-33 record. But the Timberwolves will get them on the second half of a back to back on Feb. 13, and after what will be a key game at the Los Angeles Clippers, who are currently fourth in the West and just two games behind Minnesota. While the Wolves should take care of business against a team in the league’s basement either way, a road game against the Trail Blazers a night after a game in Los Angeles against an excellent Clippers team feels like a potential trap game for the Wolves.

4. vs. Brooklyn Nets, Feb. 24

You might think this one is a joke, too. But it's another game that comes on the back end of a back to back, and although it's at home, it comes a day after the Milwaukee Bucks visit town. No doubt the Timberwolves will have to give the Bucks — who are second in the Eastern Conference with a 32-15 record — their all, setting up another potential trap game against Brooklyn. Not to mention, the Wolves barely hung on the last time they faced the 17-27 Nets, a 96-94 victory on Jan. 25 in New York.

3. vs. Milwaukee Bucks, Feb. 23

The Bucks are second in the East and tout plenty of star power in Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Milwaukee also seems to be riding high after making a coaching change from Adrian Griffin to Doc Rivers. What the Wolves have going in their favor is that they’ll have plenty of time to prepare with a week off prior to the Feb. 23 tilt. And they'll have already had a good look at the Bucks as the two teams are set to play in Milwaukee just two weeks earlier.

2. at Milwaukee Bucks, Feb. 8

Before their Feb. 23 tilt in Minneapolis, one of the best in the East and one of the best in the West will get a chance to feel each other out in Milwaukee. This will be the first time the two teams face off and it could arguably be considered the Timberwolves' toughest game in February. Both teams will be coming in on a day's rest after playing road games two days beforehand, so both teams should be fully rested and ready to go for the heavyweight bout.

1. at Los Angeles Clippers, Feb. 12

The last time these two teams played was one of the Timberwolves’ best wins, a 109-105 home victory on Jan. 14. Expect another good matchup between these two just under a month later. It’ll no doubt be a challenge for Minnesota. It comes following a meaningful game against the Bucks and is the front end of a back to back. But expect the Wolves to give the Clippers everything they’ve got on Feb. 12 as every game between the top-four teams in the West could go a long way in deciding who comes out with the top seed in the conference.