No Joshing, Minott shows up big in Minnesota Timberwolves 1st SL contest

The Minnesota Timberwolves were forced into remaking their Summer League roster just 24 hours before the tip-off, but the team held fast on keeping two rookies – Wendell Moore Jr. and Josh Minott – on the roster. And it was a good thing that they did. Particularly in the case of Minott.

The guy was held scoreless in the first quarter, but by the first half Minnesota Timberwolves rookie, Josh Minott was leading all scorers with 11 points and all rebounders with six rebounds in the first half. By midway in the third quarter, he was up to 16 points in just 15 minutes of play, hitting six of eight shots from the floor, as well as nailing two of two from beyond the perimeter.

With over five minutes left in the third quarter, Minott was already at 20 points, seven rebounds, and one assist. And he had all of that in just 17 minutes of play. As the fourth quarter approached, the broadcast began to talk all about Minott and started to pull up footage of Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic’, an absolute steal who Tim Connelly found with the 41st pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.

Josh Minott was drafted with the 45th pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.

At 6-foot-8 and 205-pounds, the Minnesota Timberwolves had originally earmarked the one-year Memphis sensation for a two-way contract. After this game? That may change.

Minott not only led all scorers, but he led all in rebounds too.  He hit the double-double mark with more than 3:35 left in the game.  He finished the game with 22 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and one block. And he did all of that in his first summer league game with just 25 minutes of playing time.

It was a great start to an exciting NBA Summer League.