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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts in the second half of play against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Over the last four seasons, the Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as one of the better teams in the NBA. They have a true superstar in Anthony Edwards, elite defenders across the board, and a high-level supporting cast.
Trading away Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo was met with scrutiny last offseason, but Randle and DiVincenzo have bought into their roles. Minnesota started the season with very real title hopes, although injuries have slowed them down.
Still, sitting at 4-4 is a disappointment, especially considering they made the Conference Finals in each of the last two seasons. DiVincenzo thinks he’s identified the problem.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 03: Terance Mann #14 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends during the first half at Barclays Center on November 03, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Minnesota Timberwolves Lack Defensive Effort
This season, the Wolves rank 27th in the NBA with a 119.9 defensive rating. All-Defensive stars Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert remain on the roster, although clearly, Mike Conley taking a step back and losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker off the bench is hurting.
They allow 118.8 points per game, slightly below the 117.0 league average this season. Couple that with their low rate of 3-pointers attempted and middling offense, and Minnesota appears to be in the middle of the pack instead of leading it.
DiVincenzo pegs a lack of defensive intensity for their disappointing start.
“Right now we’re a ‘sometimes’ team,” DiVincenzo told The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. “We need to be an ‘always’ team in that regard. And we have the potential. We’re there. We know what it looks like, and we just have to do it.”
Of course, the Wolves have built a defensive identity and found success with it. As Gobert passes his prime, however, the Timberwolves might need to reassess.
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 23: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates with Anthony Edwards #1 during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center on April 23, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Timberwolves Have Long Been Elite Defenders
For a long time, Town and Andrew Wiggins were the faces of the franchise. Even with Jimmy Butler on the roster, the Wolves were never a great defensive team.
That all changed in 2022. Minnesota sent Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, and a whopping five first-round picks to the Utah Jazz for Gobert. With him in town, the Wolves have never had anything worse than a top-ten defensive finish.
In 2023-24, they led the league in defensive rating. This season, they have fallen to 27th.
Alexander-Walker was their only major loss. Granted, Edwards missed a few games with injury, so some slipping is understandable. Most of it boils down to effort, and there’s little reason to think they can turn the ship around this early in the season.
Jonah Kubicek Jonah Kubicek has been covering the NBA since 2021 and has served as a writer, editor, and social media manager. When he’s not catching a game, he can be found cooking, reading, or meticulously planning his garden. More about Jonah Kubicek
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