The Minnesota Timberwolves are likely headed to the play-in tournament after they suffered a 132-114 loss to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.
The Timberwolves entered the night 1.5 games behind the Utah Jazz for the sixth seed in the Western Conference, a position they would need to reach to avoid the play-in.
With a Washington team that was eliminated from playoff contention, it should have been another step towards the Timberwolves’ overhauling their rivals. Instead, the Wizards bullied Minnesota with a rugged effort in the paint.
Kristaps Porzingis was a problem in the frontcourt, putting up 25 points and eight rebounds on the night. With Washington able to get to the rim with ease, the Wizards outscored Minnesota 72-42 in the paint and out-rebounded the Wolves 52-38.
Minnesota remained in the game until they were tied at 76 with 6:54 left in the third quarter. From that point, Washington stepped on the gas with an 11-2 run. Over the final 19 minutes, Washington outscored the Timberwolves 56-38.
If the Jazz defeat the Memphis Grizzlies and the Denver Nuggets, who own a two-game lead over Minnesota for the fifth seed, defeat the San Antonio Spurs, the Timberwolves will be locked into the seventh seed in the West.
Regardless of the results, the Timberwolves will look to clean things up when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.
