Eight games into Jonathan Kuminga’s run with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the fit has looked strong. He has settled into a useful complementary lane as a finisher in transition and in the half court, a sturdy defender, a connective passer, and a rebounder. He has also given Minnesota real value on the perimeter, hitting 44.1 percent of his 3-point tries.
For a player on a $6 million contract, that’s a lot of production for the price. Kuminga has already answered plenty of the questions that came with his role change.
The next step is more offensive steadiness.
That issue has shown up over the four games since Anthony Edwards was injured. Kuminga opened that stretch with 20 points on 7-for-15 shooting against the Golden State Warriors, then followed it with a five-point night on 2-for-6 shooting against the Los Angeles Clippers. He bounced back against the San Antonio Spurs with 19 points on 8-for-19 shooting, before dropping to eight points on 3-for-8 shooting against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Oddly enough, the Wolves won the games where Kuminga struggled. But with Edwards out for now, Minnesota needs more dependable scoring options, and Kuminga’s role on offense matters even more. He has the tools to help cover that gap; he just hasn’t done it with enough consistency yet.
The biggest swing skill has been his work at the rim. Kuminga is a powerful athlete who can overwhelm mismatches, and finishing has long been one of the cleaner parts of his offensive profile. He has shot 70 percent or better at the rim in three seasons, but this year he is down to 51.9 percent.
That number should improve some as the season goes on. Even so, the missed chances around the basket have played a big part in the uneven scoring nights.
A little more balance and control on his drives would help. So would using him more as a roll man, especially with his athleticism and the chemistry he already has with LaMelo Ball. He has also stood out for his cutting and overall growth away from the ball.
None of this makes Kuminga’s Timberwolves stint feel shaky. The decision-making has been solid, the spot-up shooting has held up, and the defense has been there too. The offensive inconsistency, including the dip at the rim, is more of a refinement issue than a warning sign.
Still, if Kuminga can find a steadier rhythm on offense, he can become even more valuable for Minnesota.
In Other News...
Pelicans Injury Report Could Change Minnesotas Next Test
The Timberwolves next matchup could look a little different depending on how New Orleans sorts through its injury report. The Pelicans have already listed Trey Murphy III as day-to-day with a patellar injury, while Yves Missi is out with a knee injury, two absences that could affect how the game is played on both ends when Minnesota gets back on the floor.
For a Wolves team trying to keep its own rhythm against a Western Conference opponent, the availability of key Pelicans pieces matters more than just the names on the report. New Orleans still has enough talent to make this a useful test, but the uncertainty around Murphy and the absence of Missi add another layer to a game Minnesota will be watching closely before tipoff. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Edwards Return Could Change Everything For Timberwolves Contention
Ayo Dosunmu took a moment to speak directly to Timberwolves fans, and his message centered on the kind of edge Anthony Edwards brings every time he steps on the floor. Dosunmu praised Edwards for his trash-talking and competitive fire, saying the star guard carries himself like the sort of player who can tilt a game just by being in it. He also pointed to the intensity Edwards shows in practice, a reminder that the Wolves tone often starts long before tipoff.
With Edwards working his way back from knee surgery, the conversation in Minnesota is less about what the team is right now and more about what it could become once he returns. Dosunmus note was essentially a vote of confidence in the Wolves ceiling, with Edwards presence viewed as the kind of addition that can change the way opponents have to prepare. For a team trying to keep its contention window open, that kind of optimism carries real weight. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Defense Is Giving This Team A Real Title Case
The early-season case for Minnesota has been built less on flash than on resistance. Through nine games, the Timberwolves have stayed near the top of the league in defensive rating, and the groups identity is already looking familiar: Rudy Gobert anchoring the paint, Jaden McDaniels hounding wings, and a supporting cast that has kept opponents from getting comfortable. It is the kind of foundation that travels, and it showed up again in a recent win over Houston, a game that asked Minnesota to deal with one of the better offenses in the league.
What stood out in that matchup was how little the Rockets were allowed to breathe. Minnesotas length and discipline made every possession feel crowded, and the Wolves were able to keep the game on their terms against a team that had been rolling. For a roster still sorting out its broader ceiling, that kind of defensive consistency is the clearest sign that the floor is high, and maybe even higher than some expected this early. [Read more 🡒]