Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo's Potential Return for Timberwolves Revealed

Ahead of a nationally televised matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Feb. 23, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania offered an encouraging update on Randle and DiVincenzo, saying there is "optimism" that the duo will return at some point during the Timberwolves' four-game road trip this week.

The Wolves face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second game of a back-to-back series on Monday, Feb. 24, before visiting the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, Feb. 27.

On a back-to-back, the Wolves face the Utah Jazz on Friday, Feb. 28 and close the road trip at the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, March 2.

Randle, dealing with a groin injury he suffered on Jan. 30, returned to full-contact basketball activities on Feb. 20, while DiVincenzo, nursing a great left toe injury, was cleared for non-basketball activities that same day.

Ideally, the Timberwolves can get one or both stars back at the front end of the road trip against tougher competition, but with 25 games remaining in the season, every game is vital going forward.

Ravaged by injury for the past month, the Minnesota Timberwolves have trotted out nine different starting combinations in their last 12 games, including Sunday's matchup with the Thunder.

Rudy Gobert will miss his third straight game due to back spasms, leaving the frontcourt depleted with options beyond Naz Reid and Luka Garza.

Jaden McDaniels is expected to see more minutes at center as the Wolves plan to play more small ball against the Thunder. Jaylen Clark will get his second start of the year. He held Shae Gilgeous-Alexander to 1 of 7 shooting in the first quarter of a 116-101 win on Feb. 13. 

The Timberwolves (31-26) are seventh in the Western Conference standings and are knotted with the sixth-ranked Los Angeles Clippers (31-25) and No. 8 Dallas Mavericks (31-27) at 31 wins each.