Timberwolves' Josh Okogie is much more than a James Harden highlight

Thomas Schlarp

•
Timberwolves' Josh Okogie is much more than a James Harden highlight image

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Josh Okogie’s rookie year in the NBA has been a roller coaster, but a recent stretch over the past month undoubtedly served as the peak of his 49-game career.

Prior to the All-Star break, the No. 20 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft jumped into the national spotlight by way of "The Beard." 

POWER RANKINGS: Where do Timberwolves land?

The Timberwolves shooting guard was tasked with the unenviable job of defending Houston’s James Harden as he attempted to tie Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest streak of 30-point games in NBA history (31 straight).

Harden poured in 42 points, but not before Okogie was able to create one of the best defensive highlights of the season.

Harden surpassed the 30-point mark midway through the third quarter utilizing his signature step-back 3, a shot that has been virtually unstoppable this season. Well, until three minutes later, when Okogie somehow managed to block the patented jumper clean and bring Timberwolves fans to their feet.

"I knew it was sort of his go-to move," Okogie said at Rising Stars Media Day during All-Star weekend. "I basically guessed, and it worked out."

Clips of the play went viral for the next 24 hours, overshadowing the fact that Harden actually tied Chamberlain. Yes, Harden got his 42 points, but he shot just 15-of-34 from the field (8-of-22 from 3-point range) and committed six turnovers, finishing as a minus-14 in 40 minutes. 

The incredible block made "Okogie" a much more popular search term the next day.

"It was the moment of the game," Okogie said. "But I can’t drink the praise too much. I’ve still got a lot more games to go and need to stay focused to help my team make the playoffs."

MORE: Harden blasts ref after Rockets lose to Lakers

Okogie has quickly become known as a tenacious and relentless defender. He averages a steal per game, plus two deflections, which is third-best on the team behind regular starters Jeff Teague and Robert Covington. Okogie entered the All-Star break on a defensive tear, recording eight steals in Minnesota’s last four games, never afraid to challenge some of the best in the game.

"Challenge? Who said he was difficult?" Harden said at All-Star Media Day before relenting. "Josh is going to be really good. He’s athletic. He’s built his confidence up with his shot. He just plays hard. When you’re a young guy and you play hard and don’t worry about making mistakes, good things are going to happen. He’s good."

The talented stopper came off the bench for Saturday’s Rising Stars Game for the World Team. Representing Nigeria, Okogie finished with 13 points, four boards and four assists. Yet again he delivered one of the signature plays of the game, but this time on the offensive end.

Okogie’s past week has been a much-needed reprieve from the type of season he’s endured back in Minnesota. In many ways, the Timberwolves have been a microcosm of the league as a whole: one big soap opera, with chatter about the team often focusing less on basketball and more on off-the-court chaos.

The drama began days before Minnesota’s training camp even tipped off at the beginning of October following star forward Jimmy Butler's trade request. Butler went off in a now-infamous practice, yelling and cursing at teammates, coaches and front office staff.

Butler was eventually dealt to Philadelphia in November, easing locker room tensions. But just two months later, head coach Tom Thibodeau was fired and replaced by 32-year-old Ryan Saunders, son of former Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders.

Since Saunders replaced Thibodeau, Minnesota is 8-9, four games back of the final West playoff spot. Okogie has averaged 27.4 minutes over that 17-game stretch, allowing him to find more of a rhythm in the rotation. Under Thibodeau, there was seemingly no explanation for why Okogie would go from less than 10 minutes one game to 35 minutes in another.

MORE: Butler was definitely happy the Sixers beat the Wolves

"You learn from it," Okogie said. "We had to face a lot of adversity this year. This being my first season, I really had no idea what to expect, so I have nothing to compare to this. This is all I know. Now, in the future, I’m prepared for just about anything."

With a more consistent role, Okogie’s numbers have improved across the board. He’s averaging more points, rebounds, assists and steals since the coaching change.

Despite the new energy inside the Target Center, Minnesota hasn't been able to find steady success in the unforgiving West. Okogie continually said that handling losses has been the hardest part about his early NBA experience. But with Karl-Anthony Towns locked in as the franchise centerpiece and a young coach leading the way, this Timberwolves squad could have a bright future.

And then there's Okogie, the guy swatting away the reigning MVP at just 20 years old.

"Josh is a one-of-a-kind talent in this league," Towns said. "Not many people can match his heart and determination to be great. The league better get ready to see Josh Okogie for 10-plus years."

Thomas Schlarp