The Minnesota Timberwolves had to scramble a bit for their rematch against the Memphis Grizzlies. Not only did the team face playing their 22nd game of the season without one of their most valuable players in PF/C Karl-Anthony Towns, but due to an illness, the team faced playing their third consecutive game without their defensive standout small forward, Jaden McDaniels.
The Timberwolves had plenty of options over how to set their starting lineup and rotations, but head coach Chris Finch threw a curveball. Rather than start one of their many veterans, the Timberwolves starting lineup to face the Memphis Grizzles consisted of center Rudy Gobert, power forward Kyle Anderson, rookie small forward Wendell Moore Jr., shooting guard Anthony Edwards, and point guard D’Angelo Russell.
So how much advance notice did rookie Wendell Moore get about his first NBA start? A grand total of 10 minutes. That’s pretty wacky if you ask me.
Wendell Moore Jr. found out 10 minutes before the pregame meeting that he was going to start and guard Ja tonight. Had no idea he would PLAY, let alone start.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) December 1, 2022
"Once he told me the news, I was beyond excited. At the same time, I knew I had to lock in and had a job to do."
But who suited up to start against the Memphis Grizzlies was not random dart tosses to the dart board. Setting that starting lineup did two things that were quite unexpected for the Minnesota Timberwolves. For starters, it placed the energy and defensive chops of Wendell Moore on full display, in the harshest of conditions, to allow Coach Finch to truly test his basketball mettle, intensity, and competitiveness.
Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Wendell Moore Jr.’s impressive first start
Secondly, it allowed Finch to reach back to his bench and choose the best options from the arsenal to counter what the Memphis Grizzlies were trying to do. That allowed Finch to tap the unbridled offensive energy of Jaylen Nowell, whose 24 points off the bench were a real difference-maker in this one.
It was Moore who drew the primary defender against Grizzlies standout Ja Morant. Morant only shot 40 percent from the floor (well below his 47.2 percent season average). While he did make two of his four perimeter shots, he was held below his 4.8 three-point attempts per game average as well.
On the flip side, Wendell Moore Jr. completed 50 percent of his shots from the floor (three of six) and 33.3 percent of his perimeter shots (one of three). That is a very impressive first start to what many hope is a long and lauded NBA career.