Wolves record: 15-60
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune:
The Wolves used their size advantage -- that's right, Jefferson, Darko Milicic and Kevin Love all produced double-double games -- to outrebound Sacramento 46-33 and build a 20-point lead with eight minutes to play.
But they, almost right on cue, nearly gave it all back, allowing the Kings a 16-2 run that chopped their lead to just six points with a little more than three minutes remaining.
That's when Wolves coach Kurt Rambis summoned Brewer off the bench after he had sat for nearly 12 minutes.
From Phil Miller/NBA.com:
After sitting out for an entire quarter, Brewer checked in for the final three minutes Wednesday, and halted Sacramento's 16-2 surge almost by himself. Three baskets, some physical defense and a critical steal later, the third-year guard could celebrate his team's first victory in more than five weeks, 108-99 over the Kings.
"I didn't think I was going to get back in. The other guys were playing pretty well," Brewer said after scoring 10 points down the stretch to help end Minnesota's franchise record-tying 16-game losing streak. "But when they started coming back, I had to help the team any way I could."
He did it with a few timely jump shots and some timelier defense. Brewer nailed a 3-pointer that gave the Wolves a little breathing room with just over two minutes to play, then converted a three-point play when Tyreke Evans bumped him on a drive to the basket. But Brewer's biggest play in a 19-point night was still to come: With Sacramento within seven and inbounding the ball with 37.6 seconds remaining, Brewer timed Carl Landry's inbound pass, stepped in front of Evans, and flew to the far basket for a game-clinching dunk.
From Ray Richardson/Pioneer Press:
The crowd of 15,582 rose to its feet and gave the Wolves (15-60) a standing ovation as the final seconds ticked away, ending an agonizing stretch for the players, coaches and organization.
Wednesday's victory avoided the franchise record for most consecutive losses (17) and spared the Wolves from an 0-14 finish in March.
"This feels really good," Rambis said of the Wolves' first win since a 91-88 victory at Miami on Feb. 23. "The guys were very, very happy in the locker room. The streak was hard in a lot of ways, especially with how the guys absorbed the losses and how it weighed on them."
From Jonah Ballow/Timberwolves site:
Minnesota's offense was led by Darko Milicic in the first half, where he scored 11 of his 15 points. Milicic discarded any type of defense from Jason Thompson, who started in place of Spencer Hawes (left hamstring contusion). The former No. 2 overall pick found room to operate by dipping his shoulder and releasing a strong left-handed hook to establish a scoring presence in the painted area. Milicic grabbed 10 boards as the Wolves outrebounded Sacramento 46-33.
"I got here a month ago and I see these guys here, nobody really wants to lose," Milicic stated. "These guys got a lot of talent and they want to win. Its tough on all of us, we have to focus and finish the season as strong as we can."