It's not a secret that the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the brink of a championship after making back-to-back conference finals runs. Of course, this will be challenging in a conference with the Oklahoma City and Denver Nuggets. Nevertheless, the Wolves have proven that you can't count them out over the past few years.
With Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, the Wolves have the necessary star power to win their first-ever championship. However, one common criticism the Wolves have had is that Edwards is overtaxed. Luckily, the Wolves have found a solution to the non-Edwards minutes. Playing without him for four games certainly helped in this regard.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Minnesota, the Wolves' lineup of Mike Conley, Donte DiVincenzo, Jaden McDaniels, Randle, and Rudy Gobert has an efficiency differential of +22, which makes that the fourth most efficient lineup in the league. As the Wolves try to make a championship leap, winning the non-Ant minutes will be just as important as winning the Ant minutes.
The Wolves are finding a blueprint to win with Edwards off the floor
It's also worth noting that the Wolves' starting lineup ranks third in efficiency differential. Inserting DiVincenzo into the starting five has given the squad a nice shooting boost and some much-needed perimeter juice. However, it's truly impressive what the Wolves are able to do without Edwards, and that should help solidify their status as title contenders.
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Timberwolves have two of the five most effective lineups in the league, and one of them doesn't even feature Anthony Edwards🤯 pic.twitter.com/2lLKe5bayi
— Eamon Cassels (@EamonCassels) November 14, 2025
Of course, the NBA is still a star-driven league, but depth is becoming more and more important. Just look at the Thunder and the Indiana Pacers last season. OKC had a lineup without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that was the fourth most effective in the playoffs, highlighting the importance of being able to play without your star. Now the Wolves could have a similar lineup without Edwards, and that's something that should put other teams on notice.
Incredibly, this non-Edwards lineup has an absurd 129.2 offensive rating, which translates to the best overall ORTG in the league and the fourth best among all lineups. Impressive to say the least.
Randle has been nothing short of amazing this season, averaging 25.4 points. Plus, McDaniels is averaging a career-high 18.4 points. Given this, combined with the floor spacing of DiVincenzo and Conley, it's easy to see why this lineup is so effective.
Nevertheless, this lineup gives the Wolves a clear blueprint to win the non-Edwards minutes and ultimately make a championship run.