Georges Niang: I Don’t Like How You’re Writing Off Timberwolves

At times, Minnesota has shown promise. At others? Yeah, not so much. But don’t count out the Timberwolves just yet. As the saying goes, a series doesn’t start until both teams have played a home game. Or something like that.

Either way, we’re now moving to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4, and Atlanta Hawks forward Georges Niang says that should mean something.

“I don’t like you guys writing off Minnesota like this,” Niang told his co-panelists on Run It Back from FanDuel Sports TV. “You know how hard it is to play in Minnesota.”

Host Michaelle Beadle then asked Niang, “Do you really mean this with all your heart?”

Niang stressed that he did. “I’m being serious, because Minnesota’s a hostile environment,” he added. 

For the record, 34 teams have overcome 2-0 deficits to win the series, including the Indiana Pacers (over the New York Knicks) in the East semifinals last season.

Most NBA insiders believe the Timberwolves, though, will have to win both at home to pull off the upset here. And hey, with Anthony Edwards on your side, all things seem possible.

But you gotta get Game 3 first if you’re the Timberwolves. If not, we all know the stats when teams fall behind, 3-0. In the NBA, that deficit has always proved to be insurmountable. 

No matter, Niang has a point. The Timberwolves deserve a couple of games in their own gym before we start writing their basketball obit.