Donte DiVincenzo and 2 Key Stars’ Changes Don’t Go Unnoticed as Chris Finch Confirms Feelings After Milestone Night

It’s not just the Warriors who have come alive late in the season. The Minnesota Timberwolves are right behind them, cruising on an 8-game winning streak. Importantly, the Wolves didn’t need a Jimmy Butler trade to make it happen. So how did it happen? While there’s always a larger picture, Coach Chris Finch detailed a portion of it, highlighting Donte DiVincenzo and two other stars’ efforts to adapt to their new roles. Poetically, it came after the coach’s milestone win.

Last night, Anthony Edwards & Co. took on the Utah Jazz and produced a blowout 128-102 victory. Even though everyone saw this result coming, considering the team’s hot run, the T-Wolves were trying out something internally. One of the takeaways from the game was the rest.

Chris Finch rested Mike Conley ahead of the Pacers’ game and challenged DiVincenzo, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Julius Randle for the point guard role. The role was split amongst the trio and they put on a decent show. At first glance, DiVincenzo might not seem like the obvious pick for this role. He’s been known more for his perimeter shooting and hustle plays than for orchestrating an offense. But Finch saw something different.

“I think both Donte and Nickeil have done an outstanding job of figuring out, like what being a point guard means to them in our offense… sometimes I like to get to those lineups with Julius in there so they can all kind of share in it,” said the coach.

It wasn’t just a one-off experiment—this could be a glimpse into a bigger role for the Villanova alum as the Wolves explore backcourt options beyond Conley. And how did he handle it? Pretty well. DiVincenzo chipped in 14 points off the bench, showing his usual scoring efficiency while also taking on more playmaking responsibilities.

If Donte handling the ball was an adjustment, imagine seeing Julius Randle taking on a facilitating role. But this wasn’t a random decision—this has been part of the plan since he arrived in Minnesota. Speaking of it earlier in the season, he said, “That’s really been the biggest change… I love my role here.” And the numbers back it up.

Over the last ten games, he’s averaging 5.5 assists, embracing the role of a secondary playmaker. It gives the Wolves a more dynamic offense, where plays don’t just run through the guards but also through a power forward who can create for others.

Meanwhile, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has quietly become a steadying presence. He’s not flashy, but he fits the system perfectly. His defensive tenacity, combined with his willingness to share point guard duties with DiVincenzo, made the transition smooth. He’s proving to be a valuable piece in this evolving Wolves lineup.

Looking at Finch’s response, the team is certainly on the right track, as he added, “I really like how it looks because everyone’s trying to do just the basics and then, you know, be the best version of themselves … they’re playing to their strengths.” Well, it’s all merry and good, as the team has something more to celebrate.

Chris Finch established himself as a Wolves icon

The NBA is a strange place. The day before Steve Kerr collected his 558 career win as a Warriors coach, the most in the franchise’s history. Last night, Chris Finch took his 200th win as the Wolves coach. Aren’t the two coaches fighting to steal the 6th seed? More of a coincidence, really. 

Meanwhile, Finch doesn’t seem bothered by it, as he said, “I mean no real thoughts other than, you know, I’ve had a great group of guys here to work with,“ at the post-game presser. But he didn’t forget to acknowledge how entertaining the ride had been for him, saying, “They’re fun. Fun every day. Obviously, it’s all about those guys being able to go out and perform and get the wins, have an incredible staff.” 

And Anthony Edwards wasted no time to put it into perspective. “As far as a coach, that’s the best relationship I’ve ever had with a coach throughout my basketball career,” he said, via Dane Moore. That’s the real significance of the milestone—Finch has built a culture where players trust him, and it’s showing on the court.

More importantly, Finch doesn’t want to settle with the 200-win mark. He added, “Hopefully it’s just the beginning of a lot more. But you know, proud of it. Certainly proud of the work that we’ve been able to do up to this point. But you know, we want to keep stacking them up.” 

If this recent stretch is any indication, he might be right. With DiVincenzo stepping into a bigger role, Randle evolving as a playmaker, and Alexander-Walker solidifying his place, the Wolves are showing they have more layers than just the Anthony Edwards show. And in a crowded Western Conference playoff race, that depth could be the difference-maker.

They’ve already broken their two-decade-long curse of never making it past the first round last season. Can they go even further this year? If they keep adapting and evolving like this, there’s no reason to think otherwise.