The Minnesota Timberwolves experienced a tough 137-128 defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, just two days after a commanding 131-114 win over the same team. While the Timberwolves maintained control for most of Saturday’s game, Monday’s contest revealed significant effort issues that Donte DiVincenzo did not hold back on addressing following the loss.
The frustration stemmed from what DiVincenzo described as a delayed response, where the team failed to play with full intensity until facing a nearly impossible deficit late in the contest.
We waited until we were down 20 to put the work into the game. It was too late by that time. We just have to respect our opponent for a full 48 and stop getting up for the big games and not getting up for the teams we have to respect night in and night out,
DiVincenzo said.
Wolves Fall Behind by 20 Points Early in Fourth Quarter
The Timberwolves’ four-game winning streak ended abruptly as the Grizzlies overcame a season-long six-game losing skid. After trailing by seven points at the end of the first quarter, Minnesota’s defense faltered, allowing Memphis to open the fourth quarter with a 14-6 run that pushed the lead to 20 points with 9:35 remaining.
Although the Wolves outscored the Grizzlies 36-25 in the final minutes, the large deficit proved insurmountable so late in the game. Unlike the many notable comebacks seen throughout the NBA, overcoming a 20-point gap this deep into the fourth quarter is uncommon, leaving Minnesota unable to complete a rally.
The defensive lapses underscored concerns just days before the NBA’s trade deadline, fueling speculation about potential roster changes.
Changing Performance Patterns Raise Concern for Playoff Aspirations
Early in the season, the Timberwolves were known for consistently defeating lower-ranked teams while struggling against stronger opponents. However, that dynamic has shifted in recent weeks. Since December 19, Minnesota has scored wins against teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder (twice), New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Antonio Spurs, while losing to the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and now Memphis.
Monday’s loss was especially disheartening because Memphis played without key players Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, and Zach Edey, putting their defeat into sharper focus. In an increasingly competitive Western Conference, where Minnesota holds only a half-game lead over the seventh-place Los Angeles Lakers, dropping games against teams seen as weaker creates serious challenges for securing a favorable playoff position.
Donte DiVincenzo when asked about the competitive edge not being there in tonight's loss to Memphis.
"We waited until we were down 20 to put the work into the game. It was too late by that time. We just have to respect our opponent for a full 48 and stop getting up for the big… pic.twitter.com/49Gi4QHK1B
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) February 3, 2026
