Timberwolves Three Things to Watch for This Weekend
The Minnesota Timberwolves are 1-1 after two games this season and will play against the Toronto Raptors in Minnesota on Saturday, October 26th. The Wolves opened the 2024-25 season with a 103-110 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night but bounced back against the Sacramento Kings, winning 117-115 at Sacramento. With the chance to move to 2-1 at their home opener this Saturday, here are three things to pay attention to for the Minnesota Timberwolves this week.
1. Chemistry Development
The Wolves made a blockbuster trade prior to the season when they traded away star Karl-Anthony Towns for star forward Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo. The move was undoubtedly a surprise to many people, particularly for a Wolves team that made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals as a three-seed last year, with Towns being a major part of that. Adding a key player like Randle to the starting five is certainly a shock to the system, and while DiVincenzo will be a key bench player, some adjustments will be needed to the established rotation. There may be some growing pains to start the season, but expect the Wolves to figure it out as they look to improve on last year’s successes. Randle is averaging 24.5 points per game so far, including 33 points and five rebounds in the win against the talented Kings. Star guard Anthony Edwards added 32 points in the same game, proving that this duo has some major potential. Look for them to continue to strive for cohesion moving forward.
2. Ant Continues to Shine
Guard Anthony Edwards has been a star in the NBA since his rookie year, and as he continues to develop his game, he’s transforming from a rising star to an absolute force in the league. The 23-year-old is averaging 29.5 points per game, second in total points scored, a jump from his 25.9 points per game last year. His field goal percentage has improved every year in his young career and look for him to continue improving on that this year. It’s clear that the Wolves will go as far as Edwards can take them, and while it is a team game, he is the gear that keeps the machine going. The team’s vets and young players alike will look to him for energy and leadership. That just comes with the territory of being one of the faces of the league. He shined in the Paris Olympics and he should bring that momentum into the NBA season. Watch for Edwards to come out firing in the home opener against the visiting Raptors.
3. Home Opener Excitement
Any home opener is exciting for a team, and this one at the Target Center should be no different. The Minnesota Timberwolves are an exciting team with one of the faces of the NBA leading the way in Ant Edwards. They finished last year as the third seed in the west and made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, so the fans surely see the potential this team has and should be representing in full force on Saturday. Minnesota basketball fans just saw their WNBA franchise, the Lynx, fall just short in a close game five in the WNBA Finals and are itching to have one of their teams break through this year. They have a lot of hope in their Wolves, and rightfully so. Watch for the fans to have the arena rocking this weekend.
