Charles Barkley is known for not pulling any punches, and Thursday night was no exception as he critiqued the Minnesota Timberwolves’ performance during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Timberwolves trailed 69-40 at halftime, down 3-1 in the series and facing elimination.
Barkley didn’t hold back, calling the Timberwolves’ first half effort “embarrassing.”
He expressed empathy for Minnesota fans, saying,
“I’m embarrassed for these Minnesota fans. You go down there and you win that [Game 4] and you don’t get swept, these people think ‘Uh, oh, we might have a series.’ I told you I’d be shocked if the Mavs won this game. I’m way past shocked at the way they’re winning the game.”
Shaquille O’Neal chimed in, noting the Timberwolves’ “no sense of desperation,” and Barkley agreed, adding that Minnesota had “packed it in.”
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He further remarked, “I’m at a loss for words how bad Minnesota looked that first half.”
The Timberwolves’ second half response didn’t improve matters.
Dallas maintained its dominance, opening up a 32-point lead early in the third quarter.
Luka Doncic led the charge with 31 points, steering the Mavericks toward their first NBA Finals appearance since 2011.
The Timberwolves, on the other hand, are poised to end their otherwise successful season with a bitter taste, reflecting on a disappointing and lackluster conclusion.
