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The Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland addressed key themes ahead of Thursday’s Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets in the first-round playoff series tied 1-1.

Hyland emphasized the importance of resilience through momentum swings after Minnesota’s split in the opening two games.

“We had a lot of ups and downs even in game one. Game 2 I think we were down probably like 15 plus. But it’s just the beauty of our team weathering those storms, sticking together. Keep battling, keep playing defense, keep trying to make the lead a little smaller, and then hopefully take the lead.”

He pointed to defensive discipline as a key adjustment heading deeper into the series.

“Really, man, I just got to stop swiping down and fouling, especially on guys who can’t really score the ball. So just stop swiping down and fouling, bailing them out. I had one of those just navigating, taking a better route sometimes too. That’s the big thing for sure.”

Hyland downplayed the idea of personal tension despite the rivalry growing between the two teams.

“All series are chippy. Each team wants to win. I don’t think it’s really that personal. I just think we just want to win, that’s all it is.”

On the familiarity between the teams, he acknowledged how quickly the matchup has developed intensity.

“I feel like it’s always a good series between the Nuggets and Wolves. It’s my first series being over here, going against the Nuggets, so I jumped into the rivalry so fast. I guess I’m part of it now.”

He also explained Minnesota’s ability to perform under pressure and when trailing in games.

“When you get beat down, you get back up and keep fighting. There’s a lot of people on our team right now that are like that, want to keep fighting.”

Hyland highlighted the importance of attacking physically gifted teammates and maximizing athletic advantages in late-game situations.

“I told Julius and Ant, ‘Man, don’t take no more jump shots in the fourth quarter. Go to the rim. They can’t stop you at the rim.’ Me and Ant had a one-on-one when he came out. I told him, ‘Ant, get downhill. Nobody in the world can stop you, bro.’”

He also praised the impact of Donte DiVincenzo on both ends of the floor.

“He’s our glue guy, bro. He does a lot, man. He stops one on four breaks, one on three. I’m just excited for him. I feel like he doesn’t get a lot of praise.”

Looking ahead to the home stretch of the series, Hyland pointed to the importance of the crowd and home environment.

“We might have the best sixth man in the league and that’s our crowd. I think that’s super exciting.”

On his evolving role, he noted his flexibility in Minnesota’s offensive structure.

“I’ve been so versatile my whole life. It’s so easy to play off the ball, play on the ball. It doesn’t matter.”

He also described the mental challenge of defending at a high level without losing control.

“I’ve done everything I can here. I’ve done my job and I have to be okay with whatever happens from here.”

Finally, Hyland explained how Minnesota’s second unit continues to drive production, particularly with Naz Reid’s involvement.

“Naz is a big part of that second unit… We had to get him involved more, get him more shots. Just talking to him on the bench and trying to keep him locked in, he got himself rolling.”