Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 takeaways from preseason win over Denver Nuggets

The Minnesota Timberwolves improved to 2-0 in preseason play with an overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

As Chris Finch cautioned earlier this week when asked about the battle between Karl-Anthony Towns and Nikola Jokic, “it’s still a preseason game.” But there was still a lot to like about the Wolves’ performance.

Takeaway No. 1 from Minnesota Timberwolves preseason win over Nuggets

The Wolves starters did not play nearly as well as they did in Monday’s win over the Pelicans.

Finch again rolled with D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Karl-Anthony Towns, who all started in the opener. Instead of Josh Okogie, however, Finch slid McDaniels to the 3 and went with Jarred Vanderbilt at the 4.

The Wolves’ offense scuffled early. They didn’t score until the 9:41 mark of the first quarter and trailed by a 21-8 margin only eight minutes into the game.

Anthony Edwards was not aggressive offensively, not even attempting a shot in the first quarter and not scoring until a nice 3-point play midway through the second frame. D’Angelo Russell was cold from the field after shooting the ball extremely well last time out. Towns played well head-to-head against Jokic, which was good to see.

This more just a combination of some individual off-nights shooting the ball and an offense that isn’t quite full-realized as of yet.

Takeaway No. 2 from Minnesota Timberwolves preseason win over Nuggets

Don’t pay attention too closely to the Wolves rotations at this stage.

While the starting lineup combination and first-subs are interesting and certainly notable, the Wolves are still rolling with some all-reserve units that almost certainly won’t see the light of day in the regular season.

Minnesota’s roster depth is certainly improved over past seasons, but Finch will undoubtedly stagger his rotation with the intention of leaving one of the group of Towns, Russell, and Edwards on the court at all times, and, adding Malik Beasley to the mix, probably two of those four.

Taurean Prince’s usage over the first two preseason games has been interesting, as he’s been one of the first subs off the bench and the most-used reserve. His positional flexibility and shooting capabilities will make him a treasured commodity when Finch is putting together his rotations.

Takeaway No. 3 from Minnesota Timberwolves preseason win over Nuggets

Josh Okogie continues to be impressive, contributing on both ends of the floor.

Okogie’s defense has seemingly been dialed up another notch in the first two exhibition contests, pressuring the ball and jumping passing lanes at an expert level. He’s totaled four steals and three blocks in 36 minutes between the two games. Okogie has been solid offensively as well, making six of his nine shots attempts.

Eventually, the presence of Leandro Bolmaro could threaten Okogie’s playing time, but it certainly appears as though Okogie will have a solid role in Chris Finch’s rotation.

The Wolves now head west to take on the LA Clippers on Monday evening for a 9:30 p.m. CT tip that will be broadcast on NBA TV.