Jaden McDaniels isn't worried about a potential playoff matchup with the Kings

McDaniels's comments make sense considering how the three games against the Kings have played out. 

Both teams were healthy during a 124-111 loss to the Kings at Target Center on Nov. 24 but the Wolves rebounded for a 110-98 win in Sacramento without Karl-Anthony Towns on Dec. 23.

Friday's rubber match saw the Kings play without leading scorer De'Aaron Fox but Anthony Edwards also missed the second half due to personal reasons. Malik Monk, who averages 15.4 points per game, also went nuclear, scoring a season-high 39 points to lead Sacramento to the overtime victory.

Despite the loss, there were other positives the Wolves could lean on. McDaniels scored a career-high 26 points and Minnesota had all five starters score in double figures. Naz Reid also pitched in with 18 points and seven rebounds on the bench and held their own on a night that saw the Kings open the game on a 15-2 run.

With both teams completing their regular season slate, the next time the Wolves could see the Kings is in the playoffs. Minnesota currently has a 0.5-game lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference but the Denver Nuggets also sit one game behind Minnesota and the Los Angeles Clippers, who visit Target Center on Sunday afternoon, sit three games back.

Meanwhile, the Kings are in seventh place after Friday's win and are currently projected to face the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the play-in tournament. If the Wolves fall to the second seed, they could wind up seeing the Kings in the first round, otherwise, a matchup could occur during a deep run into the playoffs.

Either way, games like these are going to be a barometer for what the Timberwolves could do in the playoffs.