Timberwolves Start Donte DiVincenzo Over Mike Conley for 2025-26 Season

The Minnesota Timberwolves have named Donte DiVincenzo as their starting point guard for the 2025-26 NBA season, moving veteran Mike Conley to a bench role while keeping him as a vital team piece. Conley, now 38 and entering his 19th NBA season, has seen a decline in his playing time and stats, averaging career lows in minutes and points last season. The decision appears to be partly about managing Conley's minutes more effectively rather than a complete loss of trust from coach Chris Finch. DiVincenzo brings better shooting and the ability to attack the paint, providing the team with more spacing and offensive juice. Despite Conley's drop in production, his playmaking and leadership remain valuable to the Wolves, who also saw positive net rating impacts when DiVincenzo was in the starting lineup. This lineup adjustment reflects a strategic shift to balance veteran experience with youthful energy and shooting efficiency.