Donte DiVincenzo has thrived for the Wolves since entering the starting lineup

Aggressiveness is key for Donte DiVincenzo. When he first looks at the rim, he can see the entire floor.

“Think shots first, and then if they take it away, now you have a roll, now you have weak side, now you have other options,” he said. “So when I think shoot first or score first, that’s not necessarily what I have to do every time, but the mindset allows me to see everything else.”

DiVincenzo has seen everything and done everything for the Minnesota Timberwolves since taking over for Mike Conley in the starting lineup. That included a season-high 27-point effort in Saturday night’s 127-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Despite the loss, DiVincenzo was a clear bright spot, as was Minnesota’s offensive output.

The ball movement looked arguably the best it has looked this season and the numbers reflected that. DiVincenzo had seven assists on a night the Wolves assisted on 37 of their 47 made shots. That resulted in a 57% shooting split from the field and a 41% mark from 3-point range. Six players scored in double figures and five scored at least 15 points.

The 125 points were the most the Wolves scored since Nov. 15, when they scored 130 in an overtime win over the Sacramento Kings. The last time they scored at least 125 in regulation was way back on November 8th.

The offense-first mindset from DiVincenzo helps the Wolves find their offensive rhythm, and it provides something they didn’t get from Conley. He can get going early, like on Saturday, when he scored 11 points in the first quarter. And his offense doesn’t rely on him having the ball, which is an advantage of playing alongside Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, both of whom are at their best when the ball is in their hands. Conley, meanwhile, has looked like himself coming off the bench.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said he likes having Conley off the bench because he can insert him for anyone. He can play him for short or longer stretches and insert him into different lineups, all things that became difficult as they tried to manage his minutes, play him in certain lineups and start him at the same time. DiVincenzo can score in a rush, but can also play the ball away, cut and wait for his shot to come while separating from Randle and Edwards.

“I think it just gives us an opportunity to get some different lineups, different number of rotations for different guys to do what they’re really good at,” DiVincenzo said of starting. “… I think it just gives everyone an opportunity to settle into what they like to do.”

Not only has DiVincenzo been doing what he likes to do, but he’s also addressed a need for the Wolves on a nightly basis. On Saturday, that need was about to increase as the Grizzlies outmuscled the Wolves to 21 offensive boards. DiVincenzo responded by pulling down 10 rebounds, nine of which came on the defensive side of the ball.

It was just the latest example of DiVincenzo playing his best basketball. He was already finding his rhythm in recent weeks before breaking into the starting lineup, but in January, where he has started four of six games, he is averaging 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per . match, all of which are his best marks this month. season.

DiVincenzo thrives as a starter, and the move has unlocked lineup combinations that have been a boon for the Wolves.

“(DiVincenzo) pushes the tempo he creates, super smart, rebounds at a high level,” Finch said. “… He’s been huge.”