The Minnesota Timberwolves came into the game against the Utah Jazz starting an 8 game home stand. It’s extremely rare to see something like this happened during the season but here we are as Minnesota was coming in on a win streak.

Ayo Dosunmu has been on a tear the last couple of games and he’s truly put the Timberwolves on his back ever since Anthony Edwards got injured. His leadership has been on full display and he’s been able to be the vocal leader that this team has needed. It’s crazy because in tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz it seemed like Ayo couldn’t catch a break when it came to the fouls called against him. I feel like the stat line for Ayo could’ve been a lot better if he wasn’t limited with some tic tac fouls that were called against him in this one. Ayo has been able to use this play, making ability to get the team in their spots, but also he’s used to speed to get to the rim at an elite level. When Ayo has his game going like he did tonight even with foul trouble this Minnesota Timberwolves team is extremely scary. Ayo put on the show on both ends of the floor and was able to make the Utah Jazz defense pay every single time they gave him space, especially for his three-pointer. Ayo’s one of those players that doesn’t complain and continues to put his head down and work hard and we saw a glimpse of that tonight against Utah, especially when things didn’t go his way with the referees. Ayo finished the game with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist on the night and was able to put the team on his back down the stretch. The confidence that coach Chris Finch has in Ayo has been special to watch as the chemistry grows game by game. It’s still mind blowing how the Minnesota Timbers are able to get him from the Chicago Bulls because it looks like the steal of a century especially how he’s played this last stretch of games.

LaMelo Ball has been special for the Minnesota Timberwolves especially with the shot making ability. Tonight the Utah Jazz didn’t have an answer for him as well because he was able to create enough space to knock down his three-point shot with ease. LaMelo finished with 24 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists against the Utah Jazz. When LaMelo is able to get into the paint against the defense he’s still looking for his teammates because he’s a pass first point guard. The Timberwolves haven’t had a point guard like LaMelo Ball before and he’s been able to get the best out of everyone around them while unlocking this offense. Some of the three-pointers that LaMelo was able to make tonight against Utah looked like they had no chance, but when you lead the NBA in three-point shooting, you gained that trust and respect from your coaching staff where they let you continue to flourish. Look for LaMelo to continue to be aggressive like he’s been this season with Anthony Edwards out until sometime near the end of this year. LaMelo has been a true professional in Minnesota and you could tell he’s enjoying himself having fun playing meaningful basketball. LaMelo has been putting effort in on the defensive end and tonight he had a clean deal with the big dunk that had the crowd going crazy. When LaMelo is bought in to a defensive scheme, you can see he’s really putting a lot of effort into trying to be the best version of himself to will this team to a victory. LaMelo and Ayo combined for 50 points tonight and they had their way against Utah tonight.

The other two players that stepped up for the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight where Jaden McDaniels, who finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists and Bones Hyland with 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Both of them have been successful early on in the season and have been a huge factor and the reason why Minnesota has eight wins on the season now. Every night, Jaden has to guard the best player on the other team and he continues to flourish on both ends of the court as his game has evolved right before our eyes. The Timberwolves second unit has been able to step up to the plate and help the starters out in a huge way. Terrence Shannon Jr coming back to the lineup today he looked good, but wasn’t as aggressive to the rim as he usually is definitely looking for him to be aggressive next game. Joan Beringer played with a mask for his nose but was able to still have some moments playing behind Gobert who had a great double-double against his old team.

Darryn Peterson showed tonight why he was a top five player in the NBA draft as he lead Utah with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Peterson was able to get to his spots and hit some big shots against Jaden McDaniels, who was one of the top defenders in the NBA. Peterson wasn’t scared of the moment and stepped up in big ways when the Utah Jazz needed him the most. This is just the beginning of his career, but the future is bright for the Utah Jazz if Peterson is playing like this at this elite level.