In the final minutes of the Timberwolves' 100-98 loss to Cleveland on Monday, coach Ryan Saunders made a lineup decision that might have seemed unimaginable at the start of the season — but one that made sense if you have watched the Wolves lately.
Saunders left rookie power forward Jaden McDaniels on the floor in the closing minutes of a close game.
Earlier in the quarter, Saunders had McDaniels on the floor with fellow Washington Huskies alumni Jaylen Nowell, who helped the Wolves take a 78-77 lead with 8 minutes, 25 seconds remaining.
McDaniels, Nowell and Jarred Vanderbilt were on the bench when the season began, but their emergence while the Wolves have dealt with multiple injuries and players out because of COVID protocols has given Saunders some decisions to make as Karl-Anthony Towns, Juancho Hernangomez and Jarrett Culver near returns from their ailments and injuries.