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Michael Rand and Ryan Kostecka break down Minnesota's 128-126 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves' 118-103 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 2 Thursday, one which confirmed the Thunder are the better team but also showed Minnesota is not playing its best basketball. Several players are struggling, the intensity has been too sporadic and coach Chris Finch pushed the wrong buttons Thursday. Plus a dramatic overtime win by the Minnesota Frost to even their PWHL championship series. 9:00: Vikings writer Emily Leiker joins Rand to break down the news from the owners' meetings and to set up Vikings OTAs next week. We should get our first real looks at J.J. McCarthy in a long time. 27:00: A big series awaits for the Twins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Indiana's shocking comeback against the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Down 14 with less than three minutes to play, the Pacers rallied to force overtime and win. The Wolves had a similar comeback in the regular season against Oklahoma City and must carry that same resilience into Thursday's Game 2. Plus the Twins and Lynx managed to avoid bad losses and pull out important wins on Wednesday. 11:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for the Daily Delivery Debate on the Wolves and the "Tush Push". 29:00: A Loons win and a Frost opportunity.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with some lingering thoughts from the Wolves' blowout 114-88 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. In some ways it was a make-or-miss game, with the Wolves missing a lot of open shots. In other ways, it came down to composure. Minnesota will need to be better in both capacities on Thursday. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to talk about Paige Bueckers, the former Hopkins standout who will return to Minnesota for her third WNBA game on Wednesday. 26:00: An OT loss for the Frost and another wet day for the Twins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins' pitching staff, which has been tremendous this season but could be stretched thin over the next couple of days as rain wreaks havoc on the team's schedule. Plus a look at the tush push, which could be on the way out of the NFL. 9:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand to break down the Wolves vs. Thunder. Game 1 is tonight in Oklahoma City. 25:00: Athlete rankings, Paige Bueckers comes home and the Minnesota Frost go for another championship.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They start with Oklahoma City's decisive Game 7 win Sunday over Denver, which set up the Western Conference finals against the Wolves. Minnesota will have its hands full with the Thunder's depth, but an elusive championship is just eight wins away. The Twins' 13-game winning streak ended Sunday, but their season has been altered. Now they must weather the storm of injuries. Plus a strong start by the Lynx and a gamut of amateur baseball for Reusse.

We’re excited to introduce Worth It, a new show from The Minnesota Star Tribune and Lemonada Media.Each week, editor Nicole Norfleet and columnist Aaron Brown are joined by people who know Minnesota inside and out – reaching into the spaces you might not know to share the stories worth your attention, the places worth a look, and the events worth your time – and money.In this episode, whether you kayak, canoe or paddleboard - or you want to - we’ll hear the best paddling routes to try in the Twin Cities metro. There’s a new show about a real-life Minnesota woman-cowboy-detective from the 1800s. Plus, why you should think “salvage” for home remodeling and the cost to raise a kid here.After you listen, be sure to follow Worth It wherever you get your podcasts, or head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/WorthItStarTribunefd

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' getting the best outcome again as Denver pushed Oklahoma City to a Game 7 in their conference semifinal series. The Wolves will have ample time to rest and wonder: Who would they rather play? 7:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus: Ranking the Wolves' top eight players in terms of importance to the team; red-hot Twins; and a Vikings vs. Bears early prediction. 30:00: Twins win but a scary collision between Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa could be trouble.

On another jam-packed episode, host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves and the accomplishment of returning to the final four of their league -- something no other Minnesota major men's pro sports team has done in roughly a half-century. Plus the Frost advanced, too, and the Twins won their 10th in a row. What a night in Minnesota sports. 13:00: Kent Youngblood joins Rand to preview the Lynx season, which begins Friday in Dallas. They, too, will be trying to get back to where they were a year ago. 27:00: The Loons lost and the Vikings have a bunch of interesting games this season.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves' opportunity Wednesday to knock out Golden State in five games. They are heavy favorites at Target Center, but now is not the time for complacency as the rest of the NBA playoffs have shown. 9:00: Jerry Zgoda from the Star Tribune joins Rand to help break down the other closeout game. The Frost have a 2-1 lead on Toronto in the PWHL playoffs and can win the series Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center. 19:00: Why do the Rockies draw good crowds even though they are bad?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves after their Game 4 win over Golden State gave them a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals. It looked like the kind of game Anthony Edwards was going to need to dominate, and he did so in the third quarter. Plus a novel idea for eliminating late starts and a suspicious NBA Lottery drawing. 11:00: Star Tribune baseball writer Phil Miller joins Rand for a breakdown of the Twins' current eight-game winning streak. 31:00: The Vikings are heading to Ireland and London.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included another sweep for the Twins. They have won eight games in a row and are above .500 after a wretched 7-15 start. The Wolves grinded out a 102-97 win over Golden State in Game 3 of their playoff series on Saturday. Wolves fans complained that it was ugly, but no playoff victory should get that description. Game 4 is Monday night. Plus a Loons win over Messi's Miami squad and another Frost playoff win as well.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves' 117-93 win over Golden State in Game 2 on Thursday. They could afford to cruise a little in that win because of Steph Curry's absence. They will need more gas in Games 3 and 4 in Golden State if they want to lock down a series in which they are the decided favorites. Plus the Twins won their fifth in a row, with Byron Buxton continuing to play at an elite level. 9:00: Jon Marthaler joins Rand to talk Minnesota United soccer. The Loons are slated to play Inter Miami on Saturday at Allianz Field. Will Lionel Messi be in Miami's lineup? 25:00: Ben Goessling reports that the Vikings are "likely" to play back-to-back international games this year in Dublin and London.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who have put together a 10-5 stretch after their awful 7-15 start. We've been focused on a lot of other things, but maybe the baseball team is starting to find its identity. 6:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for the Daily Delivery debate on three subjects: Panic time for the Wolves; offseason priorities for the Wild; and Lionel Messi's star power. 25:00: The best and worst ways tonight's Wolves game could go were on display Wednesday, and the Frost dropped their playoff opener.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand does the show in reverse, starting with his interview with Gophers men's basketball coach Niko Medved. You'll learn what Medved loves about coaching, how he views his current players and what it is like to recruit in the modern game. He's been on the job only six weeks and it's been a whirlwind of activity. 22:00: Rand breaks down Wolves vs. Warriors and finds three things Minnesota must overcome to win the series. 28:00: The Twins look more like themselves.

Host Michael Rand starts with the volatility of the NBA conference semifinals, during which Cleveland, Boston and Oklahoma City all lost Game 1 of their series after being heavy favorites. Can the Timberwolves learn lessons from those games? 7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to break down the matchup against Golden State and to spin ahead to what should be a busy offseason for the Wild. 30:00: The Frost are about to embark on a championship defense.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included Golden State's win over Houston on Sunday that set up the Western Conference semifinals against the Wolves. Between Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry and Draymond Green, there are a ton of storylines to devour as the series gets set to begin at Target Center on Tuesday. Plus Reusse and Rand get into the Twins, who disgusted Reusse so much Sunday that he shut off his TV before Minnesota rallied to beat Boston. And the Wild's postseason exit felt different this time.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who were eliminated in six games (again) after having a 2-1 series lead (again). This time it was Vegas, but the opponent doesn't seem to matter. The Wild will have money to spend this offseason, but nine straight postseason series losses suggest a deeper organizational problem than just finances. 9:00: Star Tribune writer and Wolves fan Jeff Day checks in with Rand on the five-game series win over the Lakers and expectations going forward. 31:00: The Twins are 1-6 in one-run games.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with five narratives the Wolves destroyed along with flattening the Lakers in five games. 11:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment, focusing on the Wild, Lynx and Vikings. 32:00: The Twins sputtered on offense and the Frost kept their season alive.

Michael Rand and Ryan Kostecka break down the Wolves' five-game series win over the Lakers, capped by a 103-96 win in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild's latest playoff heartbreak, another overtime loss to Vegas. This time, with both the series and game tied 2-2, the Wild had a goal disallowed with 75 seconds left in regulation because of an off-sides call. They lost in overtime, and now their season is on the brink. Plus a tough Twins loss and J.J. McCarthy's bold proclamation. 8:00: Chip Scoggins joins Rand to mostly talk about the Wolves' 3-1 series lead heading into Wednesday's Game 5 in Los Angeles. They also get into the Vikings' draft. 32:00: An Iowa fan thinks Rand forgot about something.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with three points on the Wolves, who have a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Lakers but must keep their foot on the gas. The series is far from over, even as an intriguing one looms potentially in the next round against Golden State. Plus the Twins clobbered Cleveland, and many of the hard hit balls that were outs earlier this season are falling in now. 10:00: Sarah McLellan joins Rand to break down Wild vs. Vegas Game 5. It's obviously a huge one with the series tied 2-2. The Wild look primed to make a lineup change, while Vegas looks to be splitting up its top line. 30:00: The Lynx are still haunted by how 2024 ended. Can they channel that into more success this year?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They started, naturally, with the Wolves' second consecutive thrilling home win over the Lakers, which gave Minnesota 3-1 series lead. Anthony Edwards was brilliant in a must-have game. Plus thoughts on the Wild, the Twins and a Vikings draft that at least one publication did not like at all.

Michael Rand and Ryan Kostecka break it down.

Michael Rand and Ryan Kostecka break it down postgame

Introduction: host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings' decision Thursday to take Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson No. 24 overall. They seemed to have other options to trade down and add depth, but they chose a player that fit a need. Was that the right move? Did they play it too safe? The Wild, meanwhile, left no doubt. They clobbered Vegas 5-2 again to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference playoff series. Can they finish the job? 11:00: Chris Hine joins Rand to talk about another big Game 3, with the Wolves hosting the Lakers on Friday night. Can the Wolves bring "that third kind of heat?" 32:00: A big series for the Twins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the NFL Draft and the first round Thursday in Green Bay. The Vikings are on the clock at No. 24 with a range of options. The best one is probably to trade down and accumulate more picks to bolster depth they don't have now and will need in the future. 8:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their Daily Delivery debate. The big question: Who do you have more faith in to win their first round playoff series, the Wolves or Wild? And what are the percent chances one, both or neither team advances? 31:00: A Twins win and a must-read from Patrick Reusse.

Host Michael Rand tackles four big subjects on today's episode: A 5-2 victory in Game 2 at Vegas helped the Wild even their series at 1-1 heading back to St. Paul. Should we be optimistic about the series overall? The Wolves let an opportunity slip away in a 94-85 loss in Game 2 against the Lakers. They will need an offensive recalibration in Game 3 Friday at Target Center. Emily Leiker joins Rand to set up the Vikings' options in the draft. Byron Buxton called game for the Twins.

Michael Rand and Ryan Kostecka break down the Game 2 loss by the Wolves.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two listener questions about the NFL Draft, including one that wonders if they need to function more like Rick Spielman this year. 10:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a breakdown of a 7-15 team that is facing a big week with home games against the White Sox and Angels. If the Twins are still struggling after this week, sound the alarm. 32:00: The Wolves and Wild are playing very late tonight. Here are the keys to both playoff games.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included Game 1 for both the Wolves and Wild. The Wolves won in a rout over the Lakers while Wild fell 4-2 to Vegas, but Reusse liked the way both looked. Rand, on the other hand, senses a short series coming for the Wild. Plus Reusse unloads on the Twins after they were swept in Atlanta and pays homage to a high school basketball coaching legend.

Michael Rand, Chip Scoggins and Ryan Kostecka break down the Wolves' 117-95 victory in Game 1 over the Lakers on Saturday.

On Part II of Friday's Daily Delivery extravaganza, Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins host Michael Rand to set up the playoff series between Minnesota and Vegas.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts Part I of Friday's podcast with the Vikings. With less than a week to go before the draft, where are they at in their preparation? GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah talked to reporters Thursday. Plus Aaron Rodgers also talked Thursday, shedding some light on his contact with the Vikings. 9:00: Chris Hine joins Rand to break down Wolves vs. Lakers. 28:00: A top prospect joins the Twins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the latest Twins win and his own history of watching bad baseball. From the Atlanta Braves of the 1980s to the Twins of the late 1990s, some of his biggest investments have been with teams that had little to no chance of winning. 11:00: Claire de Lune, a musician and write who covers the Lakers for The Guardian, joins Rand to help set up the playoff series between the Wolves and Lakers. It's a matchup of star power vs. depth, with the Lakers carrying the designation of being the favorites. 36:00: Anthony Edwards is locked in.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who can't seem to do anything the easy way. But a goal with 22 seconds left in their final regular-season game clinched a playoff spot. Can they compete with Vegas, a team against which they went 0-3 during the regular season, in the playoffs? Plus a look at schedules reveals it is going to be bonkers around here next week between the Wild, Wolves and NFL Draft. 11:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus: Wolves vs. Lakers, Twins vs. themselves and Niko Medved vs. the transfer portal. 33:00: Byron Buxton looks like himself again.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who lost again and now sit at 5-12. Three things stand out: Their pitchers have committed six errors this season, twice as many as any other staff in the majors; the smallest announced crowd in non-Covid Target Field history watched Monday's game; and the Twins are tied for their worst start in franchise history. Plus the Lynx made significant moves during Monday's WNBA Draft and Paige Bueckers went No. 1 overall to Dallas, as expected. 10:00: Marcus Fuller joins Rand to break down Niko Medved's work in the transfer portal so far this season. With six new transfer additions and more to come, where do the Gophers stand? 35:00: A big night with clear stakes for the Wild.

Chip Scoggins pinch hits for Patrick Reusse on Monday's episode with host Michael Rand. They start with the Wolves' win over Utah on Sunday, which set up a playoff matchup against the Lakers. Game 1 of the series is Saturday, with the Wolves needing to find a way to stop Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Can they stay composed enough to use their depth to their advantage? Plus the Wild had a huge win in Vancouver on Saturday, leaving them on the verge of clinching a playoff berth. The Twins are staggering at the plate, even after a good win Sunday. And Rory McIlroy had a Sunday to remember at Augusta.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' big 141-125 win over Memphis on Thursday, which included a huge third quarter and a better finish than Tuesday's meltdown against Milwaukee. Mike Conley was the steadying force as the Wolves assured themselves of no worse than the No. 6 seed (and likely better) if they win their last two games. The Twins, on the other hand, dropped to 4-9. That's the same pace as their 12-27 collapse at the end of last year. 10:00: Ben Goessling joins Rand to share Vikings insights gleaned from last week's Florida meetings. The two biggest questions at this point: What will they do in the draft? And where will they land with a second quarterback? 35:00: One possible backup QB for the Vikings is off the board.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who really couldn't have asked for much more on Wednesday. Injured stars Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returned and combined for six goals. The Wild needed everyone one of them, including Kaprizov's overtime winner, in a bonkers 8-7 victory. They gained ground in the playoffs and are close to securing a berth. Meanwhile the Twins had a night of similarly good news in a 4-0 win. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III on the Twins, Wolves and Wild. 30:00: The Wolves have put themselves in close to a must-win situation tonight.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the epic meltdown by the Timberwolves, who lost a 24-point fourth quarter lead in a loss to Milwaukee. The Bucks threw a zone defense at the Wolves, who proceeded to look like a middle school squad. The most embarrassing part was that the Wolves, who desperately needed a win, didn't seem all that embarrassed. Plus the Twins lost a game with shoddy defense right around the time the Wolves were falling apart. They are 3-8 on the season. 9:00: Sarah McLellan joins Rand for a look at the Wild, who have four games left to try to hang onto their playoff spot. Will injured stars Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek return? 30:00: The Nuggets did what?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who fell to 3-7 with another sad loss to the Royals. Rocco Baldelli was ejected, bringing to mind another angry manager: the leader of the Durham Bulls in the fictional movie Bull Durham, who lamented that baseball is a simple game. "You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball." The Twins aren't good at any of those things right now. 9:00: Chris Hine joins Rand to break down the final four games of the Wolves season and the very crowded playoff race. 32:00: Florida wins the title and the Gophers land a recruit.