Karl-Anthony Towns returns to face the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ offseason trade with the New York Knicks brought Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Twin Cities, but their integration into the team hasn’t been as smooth as fans hoped. On the flip side, former Wolves superstar Karl-Anthony Towns has had a career-best start to the season for the Knicks.
Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo’s roller coaster start to the season
At times early this season, Randle has drawn the ire of some Timberwolves fans. Filling the shoes of Towns, who spent nine seasons in Minnesota, was always going to be a challenge. Towns was more than just a player; he was a fixture through various eras of Timberwolves basketball, from the Andrew Wiggins era to the Jimmy Butler saga to the early portion of the Anthony Edwards years. He went through the leanest of years and some of the best stretches of play in franchise history, including last year’s run to the conference finals.
While Randle’s production has been solid – he’s drawing fouls at a high rate and has been a reliable second scoring option – his defensive efforts and on-court demeanor have left something to be desired. Timberwolves fans, accustomed to Towns’ wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve approach, are still adjusting to Randle’s more stoic presence on the court.
DiVincenzo’s struggles have been more pronounced, particularly when it comes to his shooting. After a spectacular year with the Knicks where he was among the league leaders in three-point attempts and makes, DiVincenzo has seen his shooting percentages plummet in Minnesota. His field goal percentage sits at .353, with his three-point shooting at just .319.
The change in role seems to be a significant factor in DiVincenzo’s struggles. In Minnesota, he’s been asked to come off the bench and initiate more offense, playing more of a point guard role than he did in New York. This adjustment, coupled with fewer available shots in a lineup featuring Anthony Edwards and Randle, has disrupted his rhythm.
Despite these challenges, there are positive signs. The Timberwolves’ bench unit, featuring DiVincenzo alongside Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, has been effective. While his individual statistics may be down, DiVincenzo’s overall impact on the team isn’t all negative.
As the season progresses, the key for both Randle and DiVincenzo will be finding their niche within the Timberwolves’ system. For Randle, this means balancing his scoring prowess with improved defensive effort. For DiVincenzo, it’s about rediscovering his shooting touch while adapting to his new role.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ new additions, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Karl-Anthony Towns’ return to Minnesota with the Knicks
• The Timberwolves’ defensive improvements
• Preview of the upcoming Timberwolves vs. Knicks matchup
