The wait is finally over. The Minnesota Timberwolves will be tipping off their preseason slate for the 2024-25 season on Friday evening, with a road contest against the Los Angeles Lakers just a few hours away. This will be the first of five preseason contests for Minnesota. After squaring off with the same foe they will face on the opening night of the regular season in Los Angeles, the Timberwolves will have a full week off before hosting Philadelphia at the Iowa Wolves' facility, then traveling to New York and Chicago before returning home to face Denver in the preseason finale.
These games will be the first chance we get to see the new-look Wolves with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in the mix with the rest of the roster. It will also be the first time everyone on the roster is able to compete in five-on-five action in a real NBA setting, against opponents other than their own teammates.
As of this writing, there have been no official reports of Minnesota planning to hold anyone out of preseason action. The Timberwolves will likely roll with the starting lineup they will plan to use at the start of the regular season, with Julius Randle taking Karl-Anthony Towns' old spot as the starting power forward.
With that said, we can also expect Chris Finch to pull most or all of the starters relatively early on. This starting five may play for the majority of the first quarter, but do not anticipate seeing much action for them beyond that. Preseason is all about trying different lineups, playing younger and less experienced guys, and figuring things out on the fly with the games not counting toward standings.
Outside of the five starters, expect minutes to be on the table for nearly everyone currently on the Wolves' roster. After training camp concludes on Friday, Finch likely already has a solid view of where he thinks certain guys can help, and he will be implementing newer players in whatever ways he sees fit.
Look for Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. to get some major minutes. Additionally, the three new players Minnesota signed specifically to training camp deals should get some burn as well: Skylar Mays, Jaedon LeDee and Eugene Omoruyi. Once Finch calls his first timeout and breaks the lineup, expect everything to be in play in terms of who gets minutes.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Los Angeles Lakers
Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves kick off the pre-season on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers. How will the new-look Wolves sans Karl-Anthony Towns look their first time out on the floor?
Date: October 4th, 2024
Time: 9:30PM CDT
Location: Acrisure Arena
Television Coverage: NBA TV
After what felt like an eternity, Minnesota Timberwolves basketball is finally back. The last time we saw this team, they were walking off the court after a heartbreaking Western Conference Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Wolves Nation was still buzzing from winning their first playoff series in 20 years and making their deepest run in franchise history, but there was a sense of disappointment too. This team had the talent to make the 2024 NBA Finals, and falling short stung.
For months, we all assumed the Wolves would “run it back.” The roster was stacked. There were no major rumors. It seemed like the Wolves were going to take another shot at the title with their core intact. But then, Tim Connelly decided to drop a bomb on the Great North, sending nine-year vet and four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, and a heavily protected first-round pick from Detroit. Yeah, it’s safe to say that this year’s Timberwolves aren’t going to be a carbon copy of last year’s team.
This isn’t just a roster tweak. This is a whole new dynamic. Anthony Edwards is now unequivocally the alpha dog, no debate. Last season, we saw him gradually take the reins from Towns, but now it’s unquestionably his team. Edwards is the present and future of the Timberwolves, the franchise cornerstone they’re building around.
He’ll still have his veteran crew around him—Mike Conley Jr., Rudy Gobert, and emerging stars like Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. But the void left by KAT is massive, and it’s going to be up to Julius Randle to fill that hole in the paint, both with his size and scoring ability. And Donte DiVincenzo? He’s going to be critical for spacing the floor with his long-range shooting.
The Wolves kick off their preseason against the Lakers in LA, the same team they will face in the season opener on October 22nd. Now, let’s be real—it’s a preseason game. We’re not going to see the full scope of what this team will look like. How much run will the starters get before Chris Finch shifts focus to the bench and younger guys? It’s anyone’s guess.
But, for me, the number one thing I’m pumped about is seeing Rob Dillingham make his NBA debut. The kid showed flashes during the Las Vegas Summer League, but now he’s going to be playing against NBA talent. How will he handle it? Will he carve out a role as a spark plug off the bench?
I’m also eager to see Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in Wolves uniforms for the first time. Will they start clicking with their new teammates right away, or will it take some time to find chemistry? Of course, this is assuming that they even play, given their lack of practice time with the team. Randle is still questionable for this game after offseason shoulder surgery, so it’s possible we won’t see him at all. I’m eager to get any glimpse of how these new pieces will fit into the Wolves’ rotation.
Let’s face it—the Wolves are a bit of an enigma right now. This roster overhaul just happened, and it’s going to take Chris Finch some time to figure out the rotations and play style. But the excitement is back. Timberwolves basketball is back. And while we might not know exactly how this season will unfold, the anticipation is real. Could this be the greatest season in franchise history?
It’s time to find out.
Bronny James Makes NBA Debut
The Lakers' preseason opener saw a special moment as LeBron James' son, Bronny, made his NBA debut. While the Lakers elected to hold out their star player, LeBron, for rest, Bronny saw his first NBA action.
Bronny James, the Lakers' second-round draft pick, played six minutes in the game. Although he missed all three of his shots, he showed some hustle, including a blocked layup attempt by Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Bronny's performance showcased a mix of nerves and excitement, as he navigated his first game at this level.
Despite being on the court with his son, LeBron James remained a supportive presence from the sidelines, offering guidance and advice during timeouts. The father-son duo's shared journey in the NBA is sure to be a highlight of the upcoming season.
Lakers' Plans for the Future
The Lakers' decision to rest LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the preseason opener was strategic. Both players are coming off a busy summer with Team USA, culminating with a gold medal win at the Paris Olympics. This decision allowed the team to focus on evaluating younger players and experimenting with different lineups.
Coach JJ Redick emphasized the importance of preparation and getting the team ready for the upcoming season. He also acknowledged the importance of integrating new players into the team's dynamic.
Although LeBron and Davis were held out of the opener, they are expected to play in at least one of the remaining preseason games this weekend. The Lakers are looking to use this preseason as a springboard for a successful regular season, with the ultimate goal of winning a championship.
A New Era
The Lakers' preseason opener marked a new era for the team. With Bronny James joining the roster and JJ Redick taking over as head coach, the Lakers are embracing change and innovation.
The upcoming season promises to be a journey filled with exciting moments and challenges. As the Lakers navigate this new chapter, fans are eager to see what the future holds for this storied franchise. The dynamic between LeBron and Bronny James is undoubtedly a major storyline, and the team's overall performance will be closely watched. With a new coach and a fresh start, the Lakers are looking to make a statement in the NBA and continue their pursuit of a championship.
