The Timberwolves broke a four-game losing streak with a much-needed win over the Clippers in an NBA Cup group game at Target Center on Friday night – and some are ready to buy back after Minnesota’s tumultuous start to the season.

Infamous hot-take machine Skip Bayless likes what he saw from Minnesota after Anthony Edwards called out the team and believes they can still be a contender despite their slow start to the season.

“TWolves stumble to finish line against injured Clips, quick losing streak,” he posted on THIS TEAM WILL FIND THEMSELVES, COMPETE.

After a deep playoff run to the Western Conference Finals last season, there was serious hope that the Timberwolves could have similar success this season. But after trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, they struggled to find the same chemistry.

Through 19 games, the Wolves have a 9-10 record, which puts them in 11th place in the Western Conference standings. It’s way too early to talk about the playoffs at the end of November, but that’s a spot outside of the play-in tournament.

It would be a bit naive to expect a team to be able to hit the ground running after bringing in a player as significant as Towns, but the Timberwolves need to start picking up some wins if they have any hope of contending. A performance like last night’s win against the Clippers was far from pretty, but it’s the type of game where good teams find a way to win at home.

Bayless praised Minnesota’s defense, which allowed just 92 points to the Clippers. That’s the fewest points Minnesota has allowed all season, which now gives them something to build on heading into Monday’s game against the Lakers.