Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Timberwolves Make Lineup Decision Before First Game of the Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jackson Stone | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 7:30 PM ET

On Wednesday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves will get their 2025-26 season underway with a road game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Timberwolves are hoping for an MVP-caliber season out of Anthony Edwards, who led the team with 27.6 points per game during the 2024-25 season.

One question for the Timberwolves heading into this season was how reliant the team would be on veteran point guard Mike Conley, who saw a dip in production last year and is now 38 years old. Conley's floor general qualities and elite outside shooting have provided immense value to Minnesota, but as his speed and athleticism have declined, so too has his ability to be effective for long stretches.

With this being the case, the Timberwolves made a big decision regarding their starting lineup on Wednesday ahead of the Blazers clash.

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris FinchCredit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

"Sources: Minnesota Timberwolves will award Donte DiVincenzo the starting point guard spot to open the 2025-26 NBA season. Mike Conley will remain a vital piece," reported NBA reporter Chris Haynes on X.

DiVincenzo was acquired by the Timberwolves from the New York Knicks as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade prior to the 2024-25 season and had a bit of a down year, averaging 11.7 points per game on 42.2 percent shooting from the field.

However, at age 28, DiVincenzo has much more athleticism and durability than Conley at this stage of his career and is serviceable enough as a secondary playmaker that the team won't be sacrificing too much in that department.

Overall, the Timberwolves are trying to figure out a way to get to the next level after two straight appearances in the Western Conference finals, both of which ended in unceremonious gentleman's sweeps.

In order for the Timberwolves to truly vault into championship contention, they'll need Edwards to take another step forward as a facilitator, as well as some improvements from some of their role players, including DiVincenzo, who is looking to recapture his form from the 2023-24 season with the Knicks.

The Trail Blazers and Timberwolves are set to tip off at 10 p.m. ET from Portland.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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