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Timberwolves’ Jaylen Nowell working to heat up 3-point shot

jace frederick, pioneer press
·2 min read

Jaylen Nowell sank an open three-point shot to extend Minnesota’s lead to 10 points in the fourth quarter of Monday’s 124-111 victory over Denver. As the ball went through the net, the guard seemed to look up to the heavens as if to say, “Finally.”

Nowell has had streaks of success this season, but one area in which he consistently has struggled has been beyond the arc. Entering Wednesday’s game against Portland, the 23-year-old was shooting just 29 percent from deep.

“Oh my god, I don’t know what it is about this year, but I been shooting like straight (crap),” Nowell said. “I don’t know what the hell is going on. I’m sticking (my follow through), I’m doing everything I can. I’m really trying to make these shots. But for some reason they’re just not falling.”

Nowell shot 39 percent from 3-point range last season, a sign that perhaps that part of his game had taken a leap after he struggled from outside through the first two years of his NBA career. But this season could be an overcorrection back toward a career mean. Still, Nowell hasn’t lost confidence in his stroke, nor does he have any plans to tinker with it.

“Man, no, no, no, never. Never change it, never doubt it,” Nowell said. “It’s gonna fall eventually. It’s good to get wins though when they’re not falling.”

He wondered aloud if the basketball gods were to blame but noted he’s staying true to his work.

“But it’s like ‘(Dang).’ only thing I can keep doing is keep shooting and the averages they say they will average out,” Nowell said. “So I think that means I got some pretty big games coming.”

For the record, Nowell made his first triple try of the game Wednesday.

Almost perfect

Anthony Edwards has made a point to shout out a teammate after wins whenever the guard does the on-court postgame interview with Bally Sports North this season.

Monday, the recipient of the praise was Jaden McDaniels. After the wing’s 9-for-10 shooting performance against Denver, Edwards said McDaniels played a “perfect” game.

“It’s cool. He know I didn’t play perfect,” McDaniels said. “But just knowing that he sees that in me gives me the confidence to try to play like this every game. Just continuing to play better and be consistent.”

Prince returns

Taurean Prince returned to action Wednesday after missing the Timberwolves’ previous 20 game with a shoulder injury. Minnesota was still without Karl-Anthony Towns, Jordan McLaughlin, Naz Reid and Bryn Forbes on Wednesday.

Prince received a nice ovation from the home crowd when he checked into the game in the first quarter.

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