S³ SWEET SCIENCE SPORTS | NBA COVERAGE | NOVEMBER 15, 2026
| Chicago Bulls | FINAL | Minnesota Timberwolves |
|---|---|---|
 3–9 | 117–106 |  9–4 |
The Minnesota Timberwolves were beginning to look like one of the Western Conference's elite teams. Five consecutive victories, a 9–3 record and an impressive stretch of basketball without Anthony Edwards had transformed Minnesota from a team facing adversity into one of the NBA's early-season surprises.
LaMelo Ball was leading the offense. The supporting cast was responding. The Timberwolves weren't simply surviving without their superstar. They were winning convincingly.
Then the Chicago Bulls arrived.
A rebuilding franchise with only two victories entering the matchup walked into Minnesota and defeated the Timberwolves 117–106, ending their five-game winning streak.
The Bulls deserve credit for their performance, but the bigger story was Minnesota's apparent lack of urgency.
The Timberwolves didn't look like a team that expected a challenge. They looked like a team that expected a victory.
Chicago came prepared to compete
Chicago established its offensive rhythm early, with Tre Jones and Norman Powell helping the Bulls build a first-half advantage.
Norman Powell led Chicago with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists. Matas Buzelis contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, while Buddy Hield added 16 points, connecting on four three-pointers.
The Bulls shot 49% from the field and 47% from three-point range.
Those numbers weren't accidental. Chicago moved the basketball, found quality opportunities and capitalized on Minnesota's defensive breakdowns.
When the Timberwolves threatened to regain control, the Bulls responded.
Josh Giddey's crucial late three-pointer helped secure the victory, demonstrating the composure Chicago maintained throughout the contest.
For a team undergoing a rebuild under head coach Tiago Splitter, this was the type of performance that builds confidence.
Minnesota's five-game winning streak ends
Minnesota entered the matchup having won five consecutive games, including a dominant 133–94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Timberwolves had developed an effective offensive identity without Anthony Edwards.
LaMelo Ball was creating opportunities for his teammates, while Minnesota's defense and supporting cast were helping sustain the winning streak.
Against Chicago, that identity was missing for extended stretches.
Ayo Dosunmu led Minnesota with 24 points, attacking the basket aggressively and helping the Timberwolves narrow the deficit in the second half.
Ball contributed 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
But Minnesota struggled to generate consistent offense, particularly from the perimeter.
S³ Team Shooting Comparison
| Shooting | Chicago | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| 3PT% | 47% | 24% |
| FT% | 83% | 75% |
Percentages rounded from the S³ Gamecast.
Chicago's 23-percentage-point advantage in three-point shooting was particularly damaging.
Minnesota had opportunities to make the game competitive, but the Timberwolves couldn't sustain the defensive intensity necessary to complete the comeback.
The difference between confidence and overconfidence
There is nothing wrong with Minnesota believing it can defeat Chicago.
The Timberwolves had every reason to enter this game confident.
They were playing better basketball, had the superior record and were establishing themselves as a legitimate Western Conference threat.
But confidence doesn't guarantee victories.
Minnesota appeared to approach Chicago as an opponent it could defeat without delivering its best performance.
That's a dangerous mentality in the NBA.
The Bulls might be rebuilding, but rebuilding doesn't mean incapable of winning. Chicago has experienced players capable of producing strong offensive performances, and its younger players are developing.
The Timberwolves failed to match that urgency.
Chicago took advantage.
S³ Game Assessment
Chicago Bulls
Positive performance
Strong offensive execution, efficient perimeter shooting and the composure to protect an early advantage.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Disappointing performance
Poor perimeter shooting, inconsistent defensive intensity and an apparent failure to approach a rebuilding opponent with sufficient urgency.
S³ Final Word: Respect Every Opponent
The Chicago Bulls earned this victory.
They played with confidence, executed offensively and refused to surrender control when Minnesota attempted to rally.
But this defeat says more about Minnesota's approach than Chicago's talent.
The Timberwolves had spent five games demonstrating that they could compete without Anthony Edwards. Their impressive play had raised expectations and positioned them among the Western Conference's most intriguing teams.
Losing to Chicago doesn't erase those accomplishments.
It does expose something Minnesota must address.
Being a contender requires more than defeating the NBA's strongest opponents. It requires taking every opponent seriously, regardless of its record.
Minnesota learned that lesson the hard way.
Chicago arrived with two wins and left with three.
The Timberwolves arrived with five consecutive victories and left with a reminder that nothing in the NBA is guaranteed.
S³ Verdict: The Bulls played to win. The Timberwolves played like they had already won.
Editor's Note: The accompanying photo was obtained online from NBA.com, not taken on-site.
