Ryan Gomes’ streak of consecutive games played ended at 203 Monday because of an ankle injured sustained in Saturday’s loss at Sacramento. It was the NBA’s seventh-longest active streak. He will have an MRI done in the Twin Cities on Tuesday.

“I didn’t know it was that long, I just knew I played every game last season,” Gomes said of a streak that dated to the 2006-07 season when he played for Boston. “I don’t think [my ankle] is that serious. I’ve been walking on it fine. I have a little pain, but they said if it was really bad, I wouldn’t be able to walk on it right now.”

For instance, Kahn said, the Wolves already have as many victories over Western Conference playoff teams — making the safe assumption Denver and Utah make the playoffs — as last year’s team. Since forward Kevin Love’s return from a broken hand on Dec. 4, “there’s no question we’ve been a better a ballclub,” Kahn said. “It may not be reflected yet in wins and losses, but I’m pretty confident it will in some time, relatively speaking, of course.”

He also doesn’t believe there’s any immediate need to tinker with the roster. That, he said, will come in time.

“I don’t feel at all compelled that we need to make a move right now, but that’s not to say, as I’ve always said, that if something comes our way, in season, that we wouldn’t respond,” he said. “Through the natural events of drafts and free agency, of course, there will be a lot of chances down the pike.”

From Jonathan Abrams/New York Times: The Timberwolves’ Flynn and the Triangle Offense
Rambis and the team president, David Kahn, are adamant that the triangle will be a better conduit for Flynn’s development. They are willing to take the growing pains for the finished, molded product.

“Any time, you ask a player to do something that they’re not comfortable with and haven’t done before or experienced with, there’s a good amount of irritation and frustration that goes along with it, and I understand that,” Rambis said. “He’ll get to that point. He’s already made huge advances where he’s making the right decisions and doing the right things with the basketball.”

Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis agreed that his precocious point guard should be the team leader with the game on the line.

Flynn made Rambis’ confidence in him pay off by driving around Jazz star point guard Deron Williams for the game-winning layup with three seconds left in the Timberwolves’ 110-108 victory.

“I want the ball in those situations,” said Flynn, who finished with 28 points, eight more than his previous career high. “I grew up always being the guy taking the last shots, and I’m glad that I can continue that on this team.”

The Wolves fall to the bottom of Marc Stein’s weekly power rankings:
Even after that recent stunner in Denver, Minnesota can’t avoid slipping into the cellar. Not when the Wolves have six losses this season by at least 20 points … or three times as many as New Jersey in that category.
From Steve Aschburner/NBA.com: A complete list of Christmas gifts for every NBA team
Minnesota Timberwolves: Audio course (Spanish for Dummies) for players’ and coaches’ iPods. Then a reason in 2011 or 2012 to listen to it.