The Minnesota Timberwolves have roared, scratch that— howled, into the Western Conference Finals, silencing doubters and exceeding expectations. The T-Wolves will play the Dallas Mavericks for the right to play the winner of the Indianapolis Pacers vs. Boston Celtics. If you haven’t been around for the complete ride, here’s a guide to help you catch up on the team’s key players and coach.
This young and hungry team, led by head coach Chris Finch, has defied the odds to reach basketball’s biggest stage. But who are the key figures behind this meteoric rise?
From a perennial lottery dweller to a team on the cusp of the NBA Finals, the Timberwolves boast a core of talented players hungry to leave their mark on the league.
Let’s examine the TWolves players who get the most playing time. If you haven’t followed the team closely this year, the following will give you a good background on the squad.
We’ll start our look at Minnesota Timberwolves – Players To Watch with their leader and rising star, Anthony Edwards.
1.) Anthony Edwards
Position: Shooting Guard
College: Georgia
Years in the NBA: 4 years
Age: 22
Height: 6’4”
Jersey Number: 5
Nickname: Ant-Man or Ant (Given to him at age three by his father.)
Anthony Edwards, nicknamed “Ant,” has become a cornerstone of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ success. For many basketball analysts, he’s also become the new face of the NBA. His performance on the court, good looks, and charisma make him draw comparisons to Michael Jordan.
Drafted first overall in 2020, Ant-Man’s electrifying athleticism and scoring prowess have been key factors in the team’s meteoric rise to the Western Conference Finals.
A blur on the court, Edwards possesses a rare blend of speed, power, and leaping ability. He thrives in transition basketball, using his explosiveness to attack the rim with ferocity. Edwards can finish with authority through contact or elevate for highlight-reel dunks, leaving defenders grasping at air.
Beyond his raw athleticism, Edwards boasts a developing all-around offensive skillset. His handle allows him to create space for himself and his teammates, and his shooting stroke steadily improves. He’s a threat from mid-range and increasingly confident from beyond the arc. As his defense on Jamal Murray in the Denver Nuggets series showed, Edwards is committed and capable of playing tough man-to-man defense.
Despite his youth, Edwards is the leader of the Timberwolves.
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2.) Karl Anthony Towns
Position: Power Forward
College: University of Kentucky
Years in the NBA: 9 years
Age: 28
Height: 7’0”
Jersey Number: 32
Nickname: KAT (His initials.)
Karl-Anthony Towns, the 2015 number one overall pick, finds himself in a slightly redefined role for the high-flying Timberwolves relative to past years.
While Towns remains a focal point on offense, the arrival of defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert has shifted some of his responsibilities. He is no longer needed to be the only rim protector.
Towns’ offensive versatility is undeniable. A skilled shooter with a smooth three-point stroke can overpower smaller defenders in the post. His basketball IQ allows him to find open teammates effectively, making him a dangerous weapon in the pick-and-pop.
Towns can struggle to defend smaller, quicker players. His lack of lateral quickness can also expose him against elite perimeter players. However, he did a nice job defending Jokic in the Denver series.
KAT needs to avoid ticky-tacky fouls that place him in foul trouble. He’s too important to the T-Wolves offense to have to ride the pine because of foul trouble.
3.) Rudy Gobert
Position: Center
College: Marist College
Years in the NBA: 11 years
Age: 31
Height: 7’1”
Jersey Number: 27
Nickname: The Stifle Tower (French shot blocker.)
Rudy Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, has transformed the Minnesota Timberwolves’ defensive identity.
Acquired in a blockbuster trade in 2023, Gobert is the anchor of the team’s defense. Standing at 7’1″ with a wingspan exceeding 7’9″, he presents an imposing at the rim. His elite shot-blocking ability deters opponents from attacking the paint, and his positioning forces them into difficult shots.
Gobert’s rebounding prowess also creates valuable second-chance opportunities for the Timberwolves.
On the offensive side, Gobert is a capable finisher around the rim, but his offensive repertoire is limited. He struggles to create his own shot and is a non-factor from beyond the arc.
Gobert’s impact hinges on maximizing his defensive dominance. In the 2024 Denver Nuggets playoff series, Gobert had the highest +/- score of any Timberwolves (Ant-Man was second).
4.) Mike Conley
Position: Point Guard
College: Ohio State
Years in the NBA: 17 years
Age: 36
Height: 6’0”
Jersey Number: 10
Nickname: Bite Bite (Given to him by Anthony Edwards.)
A veteran point guard with a smooth playmaking style, Mike Conley Jr. has carved out a successful 17-year NBA career. With the Timberwolves, he is viewed by his coaches and teammates as the glue that keeps the team together.
Mike Conley Jr.’s veteran leadership has proven invaluable for the surging Minnesota Timberwolves. Acquired in 2023, Conley is the team’s floor general, orchestrating the offense with his cerebral approach.
His court vision is elite, allowing him to dissect defenses and find open teammates for high-percentage shots. Conley’s experience shines through in his ability to control the game’s tempo, ensuring the Timberwolves play with poise in high-pressure situations. His defensive awareness remains strong as he utilizes his veteran savvy to anticipate plays and disrupt passing lanes.
Veteran Know-how
While Conley remains a reliable three-point shooter, his scoring prowess has naturally dipped over the years. He primarily relies on his teammates to create scoring opportunities, and his explosiveness off the dribble has diminished.
Additionally, his lack of elite athleticism can be exposed against quicker guards, especially when tasked with carrying the defensive load for extended stretches.
Despite these limitations, Conley’s leadership, playmaking, and defensive IQ make him a crucial piece for the Timberwolves. His steal of the ball off Jamal Murray in the 4th quarter was a critical play in Game 7 of the Nuggets/T-Wolves.
His steady hand at the helm significantly influenced their journey to the Western Conference Finals. After the Denver series, NBA MVP Nikola Jokić called him “the most underrated player” in the league.
5.) Jaden McDaniels
Position: Small Forward
College University of Washington
Years in the NBA: 3 years
Age: 23
Height: 6’9”
Jersey Number: 3
Nickname: The “Order” in “NAW & Order.”
Jaden McDaniels has quickly become a pivotal piece for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Drafted in 2020, McDaniels carved out a defensive-stopper niche. Opposing teams used to exploit him on the perimeter early in his career, but through hard work, he’s become a reliable defender who can guard multiple positions.
McDaniels has added another wrinkle to his game this season – his offense. Remember that playoff series against Denver? When Anthony Edwards went cold, McDaniels stepped up in the last game and scored 23 points. He’s become a well-rounded threat and with his defensive prowess. Coach Finch can confidently throw him on the court in any situation.
6.) Naz Reid
Position: Center/Power Forward
College: Louisiana State University
Years in the NBA: 5 years.
Age: 24
Height: 6’10”
Jersey Number: 11
Nickname: Two Words. (His stoic demeanor.)
Naz Reid, nicknamed “Two Words” for his stoic demeanor, has carved out a valuable role as a reserve for the high-flying Minnesota Timberwolves. He was selected as the “NBA Sixth Man of the Year.”
Reid provides a potent scoring punch off the bench. His versatility on offense allows him to excel in multiple areas. He possesses a soft touch around the rim, can consistently knock down mid-range jumpers, and has even shown flashes of developing three-point range.
Reid’s ability to stretch the floor creates spacing for teammates like Karl-Anthony Towns to operate, making him a dangerous weapon.
Reid is a fan favorite at Target Center. A soft-spoken, hard-working player who came up through the G-League seems to have been the missing puzzle piece for the T-Wolves.
Local tattoo artists offered to tattoo “Naz Reid” on any fan for just $20. There has been strong demand.
7.) Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward
College: Virginia Tech
Years in the NBA: 4 years.
Age: 25
Height: 6’5”
Jersey Number: 9
Nickname: The “NAW” in “NAW & Order.” (His initials.)
Nickell Alexander-Walker, or “NAW” as fans know him, has emerged as a key contributor off the bench for the Timberwolves, who are bound for the Western Conference Finals.
His versatility allows him to fill a variety of roles seamlessly. NAW has a smooth shooting stroke, knocking open threes at a respectable clip. He can also handle the ball effectively, initiating the offense in second units or creating scoring opportunities for himself with his ambidexterity.
His defensive awareness is surprisingly strong, particularly when tasked with guarding opposing point guards.
He has proven to be a dependable rotational player for the Timberwolves.
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8.) Kyle Anderson
Position: Small Forward
College: UCLA
Years in the NBA: 10 years.
Age: 30
Height: 6’9”
Jersey Number: 1
Nickname: Slo Mo (Due to his playing style.)
Affectionately nicknamed “Slo-Mo” for his deliberate playing style, Kyle Anderson plays a specific role for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While his minutes fluctuate depending on matchups, Anderson’s defensive prowess remains his calling card. His high basketball IQ allows him to anticipate plays and effectively disrupt passing lanes.
His long wingspan and strong frame make him a pest on the perimeter, capable of guarding multiple positions. This versatility is particularly valuable in today’s NBA, where teams often switch frequently on defense.
Anderson’s value is in maximizing his defensive impact while playing smart on offense. If the Timberwolves can effectively utilize him within their system, his defensive presence remains valuable, particularly against teams with versatile forwards.
9.) And Head Coach, Chris Finch
Position: Head Coach
College: Franklin & Marshall College
Years in the NBA: 14 years.
Age: 54
Height: 6’2”
Nickname: Finchy.
Chris Finch, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ head coach since 2021, is known for leading the T-Wolves to this first Conference Finals series in 20 years. His team was ranked #1 in defense in the season.
Offensively, his approach prioritizes pace and space; Finch’s system emphasizes ball movement and creating open shots for his talented roster. This philosophy has helped unlock the potential of Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards while emphasizing defensive intensity to complement the offensive firepower.
Finch’s schemes have garnered praise for their effectiveness, and his coaching will be a key factor in the Timberwolves’ continued success.
T-Wolves Vs. Mavericks Prediction
Look for the Timberwolves’ defense to be too much for the Dallas Mavericks. The T-Wolves will advance in six games to face the Boston Celtics in the Finals.
By Mike O’Halloran
Founder and Editor, Sports Feel Good Stories
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