The NBA playoffs don't officially begin until next month, but for the Timberwolves, who are trying to get to the No. 6 seed and avoid the play-in tournament, the playoffs have already started in a way.
The atmosphere in Monday's loss to Dallas was like few other games the Wolves have played this season — an intense crowd, swings of emotion on every possession.
"I love that environment. This is what I hope for," guard Jaylen Nowell said. "I don't like going out there and playing with half energy, half anything. At the end of the day, it was a great game, that's a great team and I enjoyed that game.