The NBA world was left reeling Friday night as the Minnesota Timberwolves’ hidden prodigy, Josh Minott, unleashed a jaw-dropping performance that no one saw coming—except perhaps head coach Chris Finch. In a preseason showdown where stars like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, and Julius Randle sat out, it was the 21-year-old Minott who stole the spotlight and sent shockwaves through the league.
Coming off the bench, Minott didn’t just play well; he dominated. Racking up a game-high 22 points and 8 rebounds, he led the Timberwolves to a stunning 124-107 blowout against the Los Angeles Lakers on their home turf. His electrifying display of athleticism—complete with thunderous dunks, slick ball handling, and lethal accuracy from beyond the arc—left fans and analysts alike questioning how this diamond in the rough had been overlooked for so long.
Minott was virtually unstoppable, shooting an astounding 9-for-11 from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, all within a mere 29 minutes of play. While everyone expected big numbers from names like D’Angelo Russell, Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, and Austin Reaves, it was Minott who emerged as the night’s true star.
But should we really be surprised? Coach Chris Finch wasn’t. During the Timberwolves’ Media Day, Finch boldly declared, “Josh Minott has had an incredible summer… He’s probably been one of our best players over the last six weeks here in the gym.” Turns out, Finch’s prophetic words were spot-on, and Minott proved his coach right in spectacular fashion.
So why has Minott flown under the radar until now? Drafted 46th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 2022 and immediately traded to the Timberwolves, Minott’s first two NBA seasons were forgettable at best. Limited to garbage-time minutes, he averaged a meager 3.1 points per game as a rookie and saw even less action in his sophomore year.
But something snapped into place during the offseason. In a candid interview with Twin Cities, Minott admitted, “Coming into the league, I was scared of messing up, scared of making mistakes.” This summer, he flipped the script. “I feel like anytime the ball leaves my hands from beyond the arc, it’s going in,” he declared with newfound confidence. His secret? Letting go of the stress and embracing the game. “Not only is it healthier for my mental state, but I’m actually getting better at basketball by not caring so much about stressing,” he revealed.
Now, the question on everyone’s mind: Will Josh Minott crack the Timberwolves’ rotation this season? If his preseason eruption is any indication, leaving him on the bench would be nothing short of criminal. This young powerhouse has proven he’s not just ready for the NBA—he’s ready to take it by storm.
The Timberwolves may have just found their missing piece, and the rest of the league better take notice. Josh Minott isn’t just a rising star; he’s a ticking time bomb set to explode—and he’s only just lit the fuse.
