In Game 4 of the first-round, the Minnesota Timberwolves took a 3-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, in the first half of this game, Donte DiVincenzo suffered a torn Achilles and Anthony Edwards suffered a bone bruise in his knee. DiVincenzo is, of course, out for the rest of the season (and likely most, if not all of next year), and Edwards is out for multiple weeks with his injury.
First and foremost, we are all wishing DiVincenzo and Edwards speedy recoveries -- it's absolutely heartbreaking to see injuries like this.
Despite holding a 3-1 lead, closing out the series without two key starters (including their superstar) will be a difficult task. As will, upsetting the San Antonio Spurs, in a possible second-round series.
However, Game 4 proved once and for all that you can never count the Timberwolves out, and Ayo Dosunmu's heroic 43-point performance gives everyone a glimmer of hope going forward. With the Timberwolves' starting backcourt sidelined, Dosunmu will have to continue to rise to the occasion, and if he does, Minnesota has a clear path to accomplishing the impossible.
Dosunmu gives the Timberwolves a blueprint to success without Edwards and DiVincenzo
Listen, Ayo isn't going to average anywhere close to 43 points -- that would be truly remarkable. Nevertheless, if he can provide consistent and efficient scoring, the Wolves will have a chance to shock the world.
The Timberwolves' defense has been outstanding in the playoffs. Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels have led the charge in this defensive excellence. It's fair to expect this success to continue without Ant and Donte. As such, if the Wolves can get ample offensive production, they simply can't be written off despite the undeniable obstacles they're now facing.
Julius Randle and McDaniels have been the Wolves' best scoring threats outside of Ant throughout the season. Regardless, they score in a different way than Edwards. Dosunmu is the Wolves' best chance to replicate the type of scoring that Edwards provides, and he has proven that he can provide stellar production when called upon.
Ayo will absolutely take one of the Wolves' two open starting lineup spots. Whether Bones Hyland or Mike Conley takes the other is unclear. While Hyland offers more creation, Chris Finch often leans into Conley's stability. In any event, Ayo offers the most consistent and high-end perimeter scoring.
Dosunmu's versatility as a scorer is essential to his impact and ability to fill the scoring void left behind by Edwards and DiVincenzo. As proven in Game 4, he can provide high-end shot creation. Against a subpar Nuggets' defense, Dosunmu's speed and downhill scoring give him a clear blueprint to continue this success.
At the same time, Dosunmu is one of the team's best 3-point shooters, and it will be vital that he continues to knock down the deep ball as the Wolves are now down their two best shooters.
While Game 4 was the best performance of his career, Dosunmu scaling up when the team needs him to isn't anything new. Notably, in the seven regular season games he played without Ant, Dosunmu averaged 18.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He also had a stellar 25-point, nine-assist outing in Game 3.
The immense sadness of these injuries looms over the Wolves. Dosunmu's stellar play and proven ability to step up when needed should give everyone some level of hope that the Wolves can sustain their playoff success, though. This is exactly what the Timberwolves need during this trying time.
Add us as a preferred source on Google