Wolves crumble late in loss to Denver

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD

kyoungblood@startribune.com

Having lost three straight and seven of eight, Wolves interim coach Sam Mitchell played every card at his disposal.

Tuesday that meant holding a 90-minute team meeting at midcourt of the team’s practice facility, one that stressed playing both as a team and playing hard. “If our energy level doesn’t change, I don’t know what’s wrong,’’ Shabazz Muhammad said.

And then, Wednesday, a veteran infusion: Nikola Pekovic made his season debut and Kevin Martin played for the first time in eight games.

Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunked the ball while being defended by Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter.

And nothing changed.

Up by 10 mid-way through the third…