Timberwolves need Shake Milton and the bench to get going

It had been a struggle for much of the game for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who chased the Sacramento Kings all over the court and were a step behind. They were down 22 points in the second quarter but clawed their way back into it and needed an offensive spark in the third quarter.

After Karl-Anthony Towns hit a 3-pointer, the Wolves got a stop and Shake Milton headed back up the court in semi-transition with Naz Reid on his wing. But Milton put a little too much zip on a shovel pass and it glanced off Reid’s hand for a turnover. That came about a minute after Milton was dribbling up the court and just lost the ball out of bounds on an unforced error.

Milton also missed both of his shots in the quarter, one in which the Wolves managed to score just 15 points en route to a 124-111 loss to the Kings, their first home defeat in eight games this season. Several factors contributed to the loss, including their previously top-ranked defense getting shredded by the Kings’ superior ball movement and dead-eye shooting in the first half. But one of the early struggles during an otherwise terrific start to the season for the team has been an inability to get scoring from their second-unit backcourt.

Anthony Edwards has been tremendous this season, and he played well again on Friday night with 35 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. But Minnesota has watched its offense crater when Edwards goes to the bench. The Wolves are a staggering 17.8 points per 100 possessions better on offense when Edwards is on the floor this season versus when he rests, per Cleaning the Glass.

Yes, Edwards is playing at a high level. Another reason that number is so large is that Milton has yet to find a rhythm in his first season in Minnesota. He is averaging just 5.7 points per game and shooting 37.8 percent from the field and 24 percent from 3, anemic numbers compared to his career in Philadelphia.

The Wolves bench was outscored by Sacramento 45-25. Malik Monk scored 17 and Kessler Edwards added 10 for the Kings, who ran circles around Minnesota’s defense. Troy Brown had 10 points and seven rebounds in his best game with the Wolves, but he was the only bench player in double figures. Milton had just two points on 1-of-6 shooting.

“I don’t think we’ve had enough punch off the bench in general,” coach Chris Finch said. “Some sloppy play off the bench, too. But that’s not been the norm. They might not have always scored, but they’ve always played a little sharper than that.”

The Wolves signed Milton away from the 76ers believing he could give them the scoring and playmaking with the second unit that Jaylen Nowell could not deliver last season. He had a strong preseason, hitting open shots and getting to the basket, but it hasn’t translated to the regular season. Finch has used him both on the ball and off of it and has hung with him through the struggles, hoping a show of confidence will help get Milton going.

Milton shot 37.8 percent…