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    • What we learned about the Minnesota Timberwolves shellacking the Lakers in the preseason
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    What we learned about the Minnesota Timberwolves shellacking the Lakers in the preseason

    Seren Anwen Posted on

    Rob Dillingham – Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers (preseason)
    Photo credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

    The Minnesota Timberwolves opened their 2024-25 preseason on Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers, in one of the Wolves’ most exciting preseason games I’ve seen in a long time. All 10 of Minnesota’s expected rotation players were released, with the exception of Anthony Edwards and the 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 played 8 minutes in the first half before the 37-year-old Wolves leader called it a day. The most minutes went to Josh Minott (29), Luka Garza (22), rookie – Terrence Shannon Jr (27) and rookie – Rob Dillingham (25).

    The Minnesota Timberwolves dominate the Los Angeles Lakers in the start of the preseason

    From start to finish, this was largely a Minnesota Timberwolves win over the LA Lakers, which did not feature either LeBron James or Anthony Davis. The Wolves’ top unit built a big lead in the first quarter and handed it to a second unit that nearly buried LA before this contest even got to halftime.

    With 10:09 left in the second quarter, Minnesota took a 46-25 lead on a 3-pointer from Josh Minott, giving the impression that the evening might be spiraling out of control. That wasn’t the case. The Lakers staged a comeback late in the 2nd quarter and even cut the Wolves’ lead to two points (82-80) in the 3rd quarter with 3:12 left in the quarter.

    The Minnesota Timberwolves then got back on track thanks to rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr, as well as former third-year second-round pick Josh Minott, who showed plenty of skill and rare size (see below). When the dust settled in Palm Springs, the Timberwolves emerged victorious, 124-107.

    But who cares about preseason scores or results? Let’s talk about what we really learned about the Wolves in their season opener.

    Lesson 1. Donte DiVincenzo could be the biggest key in the KAT trade

    Donte DiVincenzo – Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers (preseason)
    Photo credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

    I’m not making this a key just to be hyperbolic. Night after night, casuals who watch the Minnesota Timberwolves play — and those who just check scores or watch highlight clips — will see Julius Randle.

    The guy is a walking double/double who can get his own shot every night and act as a secondary pickup option. If there is too much focus on Anthony Edwards defensively or he is unavailable for some reason, Julius Randle will be Minnesota’s go-to guy on offense.

    Related: Timberwolves get more (familiar) talent back in KAT trade

    But it took half a basketball exhibition for Donte DiVincenzo to show exactly why Tim Connelly, president of basketball operations, demanded to be part of the return package for KAT. DiVincenzo started in place of Anthony Edwards.

    The brand new 27-year-old Wolf shot 4 of 4 from the field and 3 of 3 from deep, posting 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, and already in preseason he brought a tenacity and an IQ in defense that could be seen on television alone.

    The Minnesota Timberwolves desperately needed competent guard depth in the offseason. Drafting Rob Dillingham was a good start and prepares the franchise for the future.

    However, to be a legitimate title contender, Wolves needed a really good full-back who could play lockdown defense, handle the ball and score in a variety of ways. I’m not sure Tim Connelly could have found a better player for that role than DiVincenzo.

    Lesson 2: Josh Minott may be taking the next step for the Minnesota Timberwolves

    There were a few Minnesota Timberwolves players who stood out 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 didn’t look like the dominant force we often see when facing third-tier NBA talent .

    Part of that was thanks to the talent on display all around him, including on the sidelines with Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. (more on that in a moment). But also right next to him. 6’8″ 2022 second-round pick Josh Minott from Memphis was in his bag last night.

    Related: Knicks finally made a trade offer for KAT that the Timberwolves couldn’t refuse

    He hit from deep, pushed to the hole, rose to the rim from various angles and blocked shots from inside and outside on defense. He finished 9 of 11 with 22 points, leading the team. His only two missed shots were three-pointers…but he made four more and finished 4 of 6 from downtown. He also added 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

    Every time the Lakers stormed back, Minott drove down the lane with a monster dunk or dropped a 3-pointer to stop all of LA’s momentum. We knew Minott’s development was going well, but he showed a level in his play Friday night that most Minnesota Timberwolves fans didn’t know existed.

    Lesson 3: Rob Dillingham is becoming a stud and should contribute immediately

    I imagine their playing time will fluctuate depending on how they play at certain points during the grueling NBA season. But there’s no doubt that 2024 No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham and No. 27 pick Terrence Shannon Jr. are good enough to help the Wolves right now.

    • Rob Dillingham vs Lakers: 25 mins | 9/20 FG | 3/6 3PT | 21 PTS | 4 AST | 1 REB | +10 +/-

    No doubt, Rob Dillingham is a mixed bag and he will have some growing pains to work on. He is significantly smaller than everyone else on the field and is by no means an elite defender. But this guy’s playmaking ability is next level and I’m not sure we’ve seen that since Stephon Marbury with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

    Related: Why did the Minnesota Timberwolves trade Karl-Anthony Towns?

    Seriously, the Kentucky product is so quick-twitch that he’s usually gone before the defender can even react. This gives him the innate ability to get anywhere on the basketball court whenever he wants.

    Mentioned in this article: Bronny James Donte DiVincenzo Josh Minott Los Angeles Lakers NBA Preseason Rob Dillingham

    More about:Minnesota Timberwolves Games

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    Seren Anwen
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