The Athletic NBA Daily Derik Queen's historic night + Timberwolves lose focus
Dec 9, 2025
Jon Krawczynski, an experienced NBA reporter, dives deep into the Timberwolves' struggles after their loss to the Suns. He highlights lapses in focus and urgency, especially against weaker teams. Krawczynski also discusses Anthony Edwards' crucial late-game decisions and their impact on team dynamics. With a realistic season grade for Minnesota, he assesses their underwhelming performance and potential playoff outlook. Plus, the historic triple-double of rookie Derik Queen adds a thrilling note to the conversation!
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Franz Wagner's Injury Is Manageable
- Franz Wagner avoided a major injury and has a high ankle sprain instead.
- Orlando expects Wagner back in roughly two to four weeks, easing early-season concerns.
Derrick Queen's Historic Rookie Performance
- Derek Queen recorded a historic 33-10-10 with four blocks as a rookie.
- His playmaking and passing volumes already outpace many centers' early careers, forcing opponents to adjust.
Big-Center Playmaking Is Shifting Defenses
- Queen functions as a hub center with ball-handling and passing that break doubles.
- Spurs' defenses will now need to prioritize him differently as his passing gets highlighted on scouting reports.