![\"Donte](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NBA-Preseason-Minnesota-Timberwolves-at-New-York-Knicks-27286247-scaled-e1761164307559.jpg\")
Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: John Jones-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Timberwolves will open their 2025-26 regular season<\/a> on Wednesday night in Portland against the Trail Blazers<\/a>. That means a late night 9 p.m. CDT start (and even later finish) for those back home watching.<\/p>\n But after you grab that late night cup of coffee and you turn on FanDuel Sports Network North to watch the Wolves for the first time this season, you\u2019ll notice a big difference in the starting lineup.<\/p>\n Minnesota Timberwolves name Donte DiVincenzo starter<\/p>\n And that is because, according to NBA insider Chris B. Haynes<\/a>, head coach Chris Finch<\/a> has made a change at starting point guard. Former veteran starter Mike Conley is heading to the bench. In his place will be\u2026 Donte DiVincenzo.<\/p>\n Sources: Minnesota Timberwolves will award Donte DiVincenzo the starting point guard spot to open the 2025-26 NBA season. Mike Conley will remain a vital piece. More on The Association on @NBATV<\/a> at 5pm PT. pic.twitter.com\/f2e6WL3fVV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 22, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Related: Timberwolves Star Questionable for Season Opener<\/a><\/p>\n There is a lot we can take away from this news, and most of it isn\u2019t that positive. First, there was talk that Mike Conley was feeling stronger and healthier, entering this season, than he has in years previous.<\/p>\n That led some to believe that he could return to more of the guy we saw two years ago, who averaged<\/a> 11.4 points and 5.9 assists in 2023-24, and less like the Mike Conley who averaged 8.2 points and 4.5 assists per night last year. Clearly, that is not what the Minnesota Timberwolves saw during training camp.<\/p>\n Of course, Father Time is undefeated and Conley is 38 years old. If the Wolves were relying on the 18-year veteran for big minutes in 2025-26, that would have been a gross miscalculation.<\/p>\n Rob Dillingham not developing like MN Timberwolves hoped?<\/p>\n Much more worrisome than Mike\u2019s decline is the slow-moving development of former No. 8 overall pick<\/a>, Rob Dillingham. If Conley is not capable of a starter role any longer, the second-year point guard out of Kentucky was supposed to be the natural heir to that position.<\/p>\n Rob Dillingham is as shifty and as quickly as almost any player in the league, but it\u2019s good seeing him learning how to change gears and play with more pace & patience in year-2 pic.twitter.com\/GP2XEiGufc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) October 17, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Unfortunately, Rob did not impress Chris Finch and the Timberwolves enough to earn that spot, which is probably why we\u2019ll see the 28-year-old<\/a> DiVincenzo in the starting five Wednesday night against the Blazers.<\/p>\n Donte DiVincenzo 2024-25 Stats<\/a>: 62 Gms | 11.7 PPG | 3.7 RPG | 3.6 APG | 39.7% 3PT<\/p>\n For a more positive spin, Donte historically plays better when he starts, so this change should help get his best. No Mike Conley<\/a> or Rob Dillingham<\/a> also means we will see Anthony Edwards<\/a> (if he plays<\/a>) on the ball more often, to start games, until one of those natural point guards take the floor with him.<\/p>\n An Ant + DiVincenzo backcourt could also cause some matchup problems in the future, depending on the night. Still, there\u2019s no doubt the Minnesota Timberwolves would trade any of those positives in for better play out of Dilly, who is still extremely young, at just 21.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Donte DiVincenzo<\/a> Mike Conley<\/a> Rob Dillingham<\/a> <\/p>\n More About: Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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