Bones Hyland said he welcomes the challenge of facing elite perimeter defenders, while explaining how Minnesota’s ball movement and depth have fueled its four-game winning streak.
“Honestly, I think it’s a sign of respect,” Hyland said after the Timberwolves beat the Utah Jazz 115-100 on Sunday. “I’m always being guarded by the best defender when I check in. But I thrive and I love it.”
The guard added that the attention does not disrupt his approach. “I check into the game. I’m already prepared for it. So, I’ve been guarded by the best defenders my whole life, so they don’t bother me.”
Hyland also praised teammate Jaylen Clark, who takes on difficult defensive assignments for Minnesota. “Soon as he check in, he changed the, you know, their flow of their offense,” he said. “He disrupts the, you know, passing lanes, the ball handler, timing.”
“We thankful to have JC on our side,” Hyland added.
The Timberwolves have won four straight and improved to 8-3 with Sunday’s victory. Hyland scored 14 points in 13 minutes off the bench, shooting 4-for-8 from the field and 5-for-6 at the free-throw line.
“Everyone’s sharing the ball,” Hyland said of the team’s recent form. “Moving the ball, playing for one another. Just going out there and playing worlds basketball. I think that’s the beauty of us right now.”
He added: “The juices in locker room is very high. So I think that’s translating to the court.”
Hyland said getting downhill more often has also helped the offense. “Just putting the ball in my hands more just to get downhill more. Create for myself, create for teammates,” he explained. “I think it opens up the floor, not only for myself, my teammates as well, too.”
“I’m very dynamic. Could do everything on the offensive end,” Hyland continued. “I feel like the more opportunities with that is just the best for the team.”
Minnesota opened a season-long eight-game homestand Sunday, and Hyland credited the Target Center crowd for its energy. “It’s the fans, man. I love it here. I love playing in front of the fans. They give us juice, give us energy.”
The Timberwolves also had 10 players appear against Utah, with Hyland describing the group as versatile. “A lot of guys can check in, change the flow of the game, change the game,” he said. “Bench, first unit, we got a lot of guys that come in and change, you know, the game.”
Hyland pointed to the team’s defensive identity, too, after Minnesota held Utah to 100 points. “We like to muck up the game. We like to get into the offensive players,” he said, adding that the team is “trying to help the bigs out on the rebounds.”
He said film work helps keep the group accountable: “We watch a lot of film as a team” and “we don’t want to let the coaches down and be on film.”
Minnesota is 5-2 without Anthony Edwards, who is expected to miss two months after knee surgery on October 29. The eight-game homestand continues Thursday, when the Timberwolves host the Dallas Mavericks.
