What We Learned About the Minnesota Timberwolves in Preseason Shellacking of Lakers
The Minnesota Timberwolves opened their 2024-25 preseason on Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers, in one of the more exciting Wolves preseason games I’ve watched in a long time. All 10 of Minnesota’s expected rotation players got run, except Anthony Edwards and centerpiece of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, Julius Randle.
Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker all played 10 minutes each. Joe Ingles played 11 and even Mike Conley got in 8 first half minutes, before the Wolves’ 37-year-old leader called it a night. Most of the minutes went to Josh Minott (29), Luka Garza (22), rookie – Terrence Shannon Jr (27) and rookie – Rob Dillingham (25).
Minnesota Timberwolves dominate Los Angeles Lakers in preseason opener
From start to finish, this was mostly a Minnesota Timberwolves beatdown of the LA Lakers, who didn’t have LeBron James or Anthony Davis playing. The Wolves top unit jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter, and passed that off to a 2nd unit that almost buried LA before this contest even got to halftime.
PERFECT 🤌 pic.twitter.com/lycwHo4WK1
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024
With 10:09 remaining in the 2nd quarter, Minnesota took a 46-25 lead on a Josh Minott 3-pointer, making it feel like the night might get way out of hand. It didn’t. The Lakers made a comeback late in the 2nd quarter, and into the 3rd, even cutting the Wolves lead to two points (82-80), with 3:12 remaining in the period.
The Minnesota Timberwolves then got their flow back, thanks to rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr, along with 3rd year former 2nd round pick, Josh Minott, who showed off a lot of skill and rare size to go with it (see below). When the dust settled in Palm Springs, the Timberwolves walked away exhibition victors, 124-107.
But who cares about preseason scores or results. Let’s talk about what we really learned about the Wolves in their preseason opener.
Lesson 1. Donte DiVincenzo might be the biggest key in KAT trade
I am not making this a key, just to be hyperbolic. Night in, and night out, casuals who watch the Minnesota Timberwolves play — and those who just check box scores or watch highlight clips — are going to see Julius Randle.
The guy’s a walking double/double who can get his own shot and act as a secondary takeover option on a nightly basis. If there is too much defensive focus on Anthony Edwards or if he isn’t available, for whatever reason, Julius Randle will be Minnesota’s go-to guy for offense.
Related: Timberwolves Get More (Familiar) Talent Back in KAT Trade
But it took one half of exhibition basketball for Donte DiVincenzo to display exactly why President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly demanded he be part of the return package for KAT. DiVincenzo started, in place of Anthony Edwards.
The brand new 27-year-old Wolf went 4-of-4 from the field and 3-of-3 from deep, finishing with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, in his 10 first half minutes. He showed a level of playmaking ability that most Wolves fans will be surprised by, and even in the preseason, brought a tenacity and IQ on defense that you could see just watching on TV.
do your thing, Donte. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/EjGtcv97sR
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024
OK WE SEE YOU DONTE 🫣 pic.twitter.com/wXZXqoVD62
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024
The Minnesota Timberwolves desperately needed competent guard depth during the offseason. Drafting Rob Dillingham was a good start and sets the franchise up in the future.
To be a legitimate title contender, though, the Wolves needed a really good guard off the bench who can play lockdown defense, handle the ball and score in multiple ways. I’m not sure Tim Connelly could have found a better player to insert into that role than DiVincenzo.
Lesson 2: Josh Minott might be taking the next step for Minnesota Timberwolves
There were a few Minnesota Timberwolves players who stuck out on Friday night, in a way that others didn’t. Luka Garza was his normal productive self (7/13, 20 PTS, 9 REB, 1 STL, 1 AST), but he did not look like the dominant force we often see when he goes up against 3rd tier NBA talent.
Part of that was due to the talent on display all around him, including out on the perimeter, with Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr (more on them momentarily). But also, right next to him. 6’8″ 2022 2nd round pick Josh Minott, out of Memphis, was in his bag last night.
Related: Knicks Finally Made a Trade Offer for KAT that Timberwolves Could Not Refuse
He was hitting from deep, driving to the hole, elevating to the rim from multiple different angles and blocking shots from the inside and outside on defense. He finished 9-of-11 for 22 points, which led the team. His only two misses were three-pointers… but he made four others, finishing 4-of-6 from downtown. He also added 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.
WHY NOT MINOTT pic.twitter.com/GuQh4Jfhjr
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024
THROW IT DOWN, JOSH 😤 pic.twitter.com/nJ8sNMdSCL
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024
Every time the Lakers charged back, Minott would drive through the lane with a monstrous dunk or drop a 3-pointer to halt all of LA’s momentum. We knew Minott’s development was going well, but he showed a level to his game on Friday night that most Minnesota Timberwolves fans didn’t know existed.
Lesson 3: Rob Dillingham is going to be a stud and should contribute immediately
I would imagine their playing time will fluctuate, depending on how they are playing at certain points throughout the grueling NBA season. But there is no doubt that 2024 No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham and No. 27 pick, Terrence Shannon Jr are good enough to help the Wolves now.
- Rob Dillingham vs Lakers: 25 Min | 9/20 FG | 3/6 3PT | 21 PTS | 4 AST | 1 REB | +10 +/-
No doubt, Rob Dillingham is streaky, and he will have some growing pains to work though. He’s noticeably shorter than everyone else on the floor and he isn’t an elite defender, by any means. But this dude’s playmaking ability is next level and something that I am not sure we have seen on the Minnesota Timberwolves since Stephon Marbury.
Related: Why Did the Minnesota Timberwolves Trade Karl-Anthony Towns?
Seriously, the Kentucky product is so quick-twitch, he’s usually gone before the defender can even react. That gives him an innate ability to get wherever he wants to go on the basketball floor, pretty much whenever he wants to get there.
8th overall pick Rob Dillingham came ready to play in his #NBAPreseason debut!
— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2024
21 PTS
4 AST
3 3PM pic.twitter.com/4hQgKvSiAj
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