Northwest Notes: Wolves, DiVincenzo, Henderson, Camara, Murray

The Timberwolves are out of excuses after losing to the shorthanded Warriors on Wednesday, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes. Almost everything went wrong for Minnesota, including a slow start to the game in which the Wolves fell behind 13-0.

“They came out how we should have come out,” said Donte DiVincenzowho scored 28 points to go along with nine assists and six rebounds. “There are no excuses. I think we have to be better to start the game. We got it together. We fought and fought back, but we start the game differently, this is a different story.“

Gui Santos made his first career start for Golden State and was effective while Rudy Gobert was returned by Trayce Jackson-Davis. The Wolves rank 22nd in defensive rebounding after finishing ninth last year, which Krawczynski writes is a direct result of Gobert’s regression.

Anthony Edwards was critical of the lineup – including himself – that surrendered the early 13-0 deficit, Krawczynski writes in the same story.

“Start five we are terribleEdwards said. “Every game we come out with low energy and the other group comes in and energizes us. I would say the starting group needs to come out with more energy, just like we want to play basketball like we love the game.“

We have more from the Northwest Division:

• Things don’t get any easier for it Timberwolves as they embark on a tough stretch that includes tilts against the Knicks, Cavaliers and Grizzlies. DiVincenzo is out with a sprained toe, according to team PR (Twitter link). It’s not clear exactly how much DiVincenzo will miss, but absences from toe sprains are often measured in weeks, not days.
• The Trail Blazers saw a glimpse of a brighter future in a Tuesday loss to the Nets, That’s what Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report writes. Second year players Scott Henderson and Toumani Camara both recorded career games, with Henderson scoring a career-high 39 points while making eight three-pointers and Camara finishing the night with 24 points.
• Nuggets coach Michael Malone expressed confidence in it last month Jamal Murray would begin to silence his critics with his play, and after a season-high 45 points from the Kentucky product on Tuesday, Malone defended his guard again. “I think the microscope on Jamal is a little intense,Malone said, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “Everyone just needs to let the baby breathe a little bit. He is not perfect. And if you look, I think his overall stats recently, he’s been very good for us.“