With the NBA set to unveil its All-Star reserves this Sunday, the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in a familiar yet frustrating position: fighting for recognition in a loaded Western Conference. At 30-19, Minnesota has been one of the West’s most consistent teams this season, and while Anthony Edwards is expected to make the cut, the question remains-should the Wolves have two All-Stars?
According to John Hollinger’s latest projections, Edwards is in. No surprise there.
The 22-year-old guard has been electric, and there’s a strong argument he should’ve been a starter. But the real debate kicks in with his teammates, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, both of whom Hollinger lists among his Western Conference snubs.
Let’s unpack that.
The West’s Starting Five and Hollinger’s Reserve Picks
The Western Conference starters are set: Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic. That’s a star-studded lineup, and frankly, no real surprises there. The reserves, as projected by Hollinger, include:
- Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)
- Kevin Durant (Rockets)
- Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)
- Jamal Murray (Nuggets)
- Chet Holmgren (Thunder)
- Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers)
- James Harden (Clippers)
Now here’s where things get interesting. The Clippers, despite a red-hot stretch lately, are still two games under .500 after starting the season 6-21.
And yet, Hollinger has both Leonard and Harden making the All-Star team. That’s a tough pill to swallow for fans in Minnesota, where the Wolves have been holding strong in the playoff picture all season.
Randle’s All-Star Case
Julius Randle has quietly been one of the most reliable two-way forces for the Timberwolves this season. He’s averaging 22.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game-and he’s done it while suiting up for all 49 of Minnesota’s contests. That kind of availability and production matters, especially on a team that’s 11 games over .500.
Hollinger even admits that if Randle were in the East, he’d be an All-Star. That’s how deep the West is right now. But if we’re talking about rewarding winning basketball and consistent production, Randle checks every box.
Gobert’s Defensive Dominance
Then there’s Rudy Gobert, who’s quietly putting together another Defensive Player of the Year-caliber season. At 33, Gobert is still anchoring the Timberwolves’ defense with the kind of presence that changes game plans. He’s tied for second in the league in rebounds per game (11.2) and leads the entire NBA in field goal percentage at a scorching 71.0%.
Gobert’s impact doesn’t always show up in the box score, but anyone watching Minnesota night in and night out knows how essential he is to their success. He’s already won four DPOY awards, and this season, he’s making a legitimate case for number five. That kind of dominance deserves All-Star consideration.
The Snubs List
Beyond Randle and Gobert, Hollinger also lists Alperen Sengun (Rockets), Jimmy Butler (Warriors), and Devin Booker (Suns) as Western Conference snubs. All three have strong cases, no doubt. Sengun’s breakout season in Houston has caught plenty of eyes, Butler remains a two-way force when healthy, and Booker is, well, Devin Booker-one of the league’s most gifted scorers.
But the Timberwolves’ duo has something those others don’t: a winning record and undeniable impact on both ends of the floor. That should count for something when the reserves are announced.
What Comes Next
Even if Randle and Gobert don’t hear their names called on Sunday, there’s still a chance they could be added as injury replacements. That’s often how deserving players sneak in, especially in a season as physically demanding as this one.
Still, Timberwolves fans have every right to hope for more. Edwards is a lock, but the way Randle and Gobert have played-and the way this team has performed as a whole-makes a strong case for Minnesota to send more than one representative to the All-Star stage.
We’ll find out soon enough. But if winning matters-and it should-then the Wolves deserve more than just a seat at the table. They’ve earned a little spotlight too.