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Donte DiVincenzo dazzles in perfect debut with Timberwolves

DiVincenzo was in the starting lineup and he lit up the Lakers in under 10 minutes of action.

Joe Nelson

Oct 4, 2024; Palm Desert, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) passes the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Acrisure Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2024; Palm Desert, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) passes the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Acrisure Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
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No Anthony Edwards? No Julius Randle? No problem for the Timberwolves in the preseason opener against the Lakers because Donte DiVincenzo was literally perfect.

DiVincenzo arrived in Minnesota earlier this week after the Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for DiVincenzo, Julius Randle and Keita Bates-Diop. He was introduced to Minnesota media on Thursday and a little more than 24 hours later he was in Palm Springs on Friday night and in the starting lineup.

DiVincenzo came out firing, scoring 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting. He knocked down all three of his 3-point shots and scored on an athletic reverse layup through traffic — doing it all in just 9 minutes, 54 seconds of playing time.

DiVincenzo was in the starting lineup along with Mike Conley, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert. None of them played after the first quarter. DiVincenzo's role with the Wolves isn't entirely clear just yet, but the expectation is that he'll come off the bench behind Anthony Edwards, who along with Randle had the night in California off.

Minnesota rolled to a 124-107 victory. It wasn't just DiVincenzo who shined bright.

In limited playing time, Reid and Conley each scored five points and each connected on a 3. Nickeil Alexander-Walker came off the bench and had five points. Jaden McDaniels blocked a shot at the rim and hit a 3, and Rudy Gobert was changing shots in his 10 minutes of play.

The rookies, Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., also looked solid. Dillingham buried a floater within seconds after checking into the game and Shannon was fearless with the ball in his hands and he got to the free-throw line multiple times. Dillingham finished with 21 points on 9-of-20 shooting and Shannon ended with 14 points, four rebounds and five assists.

Josh Minott was outstanding. The third-year wing scored 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks. He was also 4-of-6 on 3-point shots.

Luka Garza was also good off the bench, scoring 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting while adding nine rebounds.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

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