One positive from Minnesota’s debacle Monday in Atlanta was the return of Jaden McDaniels. The wing — playing in his first game after straining his calf in the preseason opener in Abu Dhabi — finished with 12 points on 5 for 6 shooting while serving as one of the Wolves’ few apt defenders. That all came in 24 minutes, as McDaniels is playing limited minutes while working himself back.

“He looked good,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters. “It was unfortunate he was on a minutes restriction, because we really could’ve used him out there guarding (Dejounte) Murray, but he spent the bulk of his minutes guarding (Trae) Young and he did a good job.”

McDaniels said it “felt good to be back, just playing basketball.” He noted he found a good rhythm early. The early buckets helped, as did the Timberwolves’ ramp-up strategy.

“I’ve been playing a little bit before I got to play in a game — like playing in stay-in-shape league (after practice) and stuff, so I’ve been able to hoop a little bit,” McDaniels said. “That wasn’t my first time hooping.”

McDaniels noted his wind ran a little short at times in the contest, though he chalked some of that up to fighting a cold.

“Other than that, I felt good,” he said. “My calf felt OK, like no pain in it. So I’m all right.”

McLaughlin?

Some questioned why Jordan McLaughlin didn’t see any action as the ball got sticky in the second half of Monday’s loss to Atlanta.

Finch said he thought about subbing in the reserve spark plug but instead opted to ride with Nickeil Alexander-Walker in hopes that he could slow down Murray’s roll.

“It didn’t work out that way,” Finch said. “He did a decent job, but Murray, by that time, was on fire.”

Finch said his real regret from the second half was not implementing a zone defense or putting Kyle Anderson on Murray earlier to potentially impact him with his length.

Briefly

Mike Conley said he was feeling better Wednesday morning after battling apparent stomach issues.

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