Three takeaways from the Timberwolves’ first preseason game

The Minnesota Timberwolves played their first preseason game on Friday, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 124-107. It was the first time we’ve seen Chris Finch’s team since it lost in the Western Conference Finals and since Karl-Anthony Towns was traded to the New York Knicks. 

Finch limited his starters’ minutes during the contest, which was to be expected. Still, there were some lessons to be learned on how the bench rotation could shape up in the coming season. Here are three takeaways from their opening preseason win. 

Rob Dillingham could contribute

Dillingham looked like a bench-level NBA guard in his preseason debut. The eighth pick in the 2024 draft ended the night with 21 points on 9-of-20 shooting, hitting 3-of-6 from deep and dishing out four assists. He’s still raw, but his feel for the game, reliable ball-handling and nose for a good-quality shot could see him knocking on the door of Finch’s bench rotation before we get too far into the season. 

Of course, this was just one game, and the Lakers were without some of their best defensive pieces. Tougher tests will undoubtedly await Dillingham. Still, his performance against Los Angeles was impressive enough to at least earn him a consistent role through preseason. From there, it’s on him to prove he can hang on a championship-caliber roster despite being a rookie.

Donte DiVincenzo will be an important piece

He played for only 10 minutes, but DiVincenzo showcased everything that made him such a desirable addition in the Towns trade. He shot 3-of-3 from deep, defended like a bulldog, navigated screens and pressured the rim with paint touches. 

As a potential backcourt partner for Anthony Edwards, DiVincenzo brings everything the Timberwolves need to elevate their budding superstar. His short cameo might not have proved too much, but it did leave the fan base wanting more. What better way to introduce one of your major summer acquisitions than to tease his impact in a preseason game?

Questions still remain over the Julius Randle fit

Randle wasn’t part of Finch’s rotation on Friday. There’s no update on whether he’s medically cleared to participate during the trip to Iowa, as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery that kept him out of the Knicks’ playoff run last season. 

Until we see Randle on the court with the rest of the Timberwolves starters, questions will continue to swirl regarding his potential fit on his new team. The biggest question that needs answering is whether Randle will kill the team’s spacing or adapt his offensive approach to suit Finch’s system and help unlock Edward’s downhill potential. 

Although we didn’t get to see Randle on Friday, but perhaps he will make a cameo on Sunday, Oct. 13 — against the Knicks. Otherwise, there will only be two preseason games left to get him accustomed to his new teammates and how he’s expected to play.