Minnesota's reserve guard explains how changing the pace sparked the team's win to snap their five-game losing skid.
The Minnesota Timberwolves entered Monday night's game against the Golden State Warriors desperate for a turnaround, and they got one in a big way with a convincing 108-83 victory at Target Center.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak that had been their longest skid since December 2022, and reserve guard Bones Hyland played a huge part in getting things back on track.
Hyland came off the bench and delivered one of his best performances of the season.
The fourth-year guard finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while leading a Minnesota surge in the second half.
After the game, Hyland spoke about what he was trying to bring to the floor during a difficult stretch for the team.
Changing the Pace
"Just wanted to come and change the game off the pace," Hyland said. "Give us a spark off the bench, I feel like that was needed after the 5-game losing streak."
Hyland backed up those words with his play on the court, leading Minnesota's charge in the first quarter with three transition layups that helped the team recover from an early 16-8 deficit and take a 21-20 lead heading into the second period.
His energy set the tone for what would become a dominant second half for Minnesota.
The 25-year-old guard has carved out a role as a reliable spark plug off the bench for the Timberwolves this season, and Monday's performance was exactly what the team needed after struggling through a rough stretch.
His ability to push the tempo and create scoring opportunities was the perfect remedy for a team that had been stagnant offensively during their losing streak.
A Team Effort
While Hyland provided the spark, the Timberwolves got contributions from all over the roster in this one.
Julius Randle led the team with 18 points, and Rudy Gobert was dominant in the paint with 15 points and 17 rebounds while anchoring Minnesota's defense.
Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo each chipped in 15 points as the team shot 46.2 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc.
The defensive effort was equally impressive, as Minnesota held Golden State to a season-low 23.1 percent from three-point range and outscored the Warriors 32-18 in the second quarter to take control of the game.
The Timberwolves built a 53-38 halftime lead and never looked back, eventually winning by 25 points in a game that was far less competitive than the final score suggests.
It helped that the Warriors were playing without Stephen Curry (knee) and Draymond Green (back), while the Timberwolves also rested Anthony Edwards due to his ongoing foot injury maintenance.
Even without their stars, Minnesota showed they have enough depth to handle business and get back in the win column.
Looking Ahead
With the win, the Timberwolves improved to 28-19 on the season and sit in a solid position in the Western Conference standings as they look to build on the connectivity that has defined their best stretches this year.
The Warriors dropped to 26-22 and will need to regroup as they head to Utah for their next game on Wednesday.
For Hyland, Monday's performance was another reminder of the value he brings when given the opportunity.
He has shown throughout the season that he can step up when the team needs him most, and his energy and scoring punch off the bench has been a welcome addition to a rotation looking to make another deep playoff run.
The Timberwolves will take on the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday as they look to build on this momentum, and if Hyland continues to bring this kind of spark off the bench, Minnesota should be in good shape heading into the final months of the regular season.