Donte DiVincenzo beat out Mike Conley for the starting role

Wednesday night, The Minnesota Timberwolves will start their 2025-26 away season against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Timberwolves are headed to their second straight trip to the Western Conference Finals and are now looking for ways to take the next step, led by young superstar Anthony Edwards.

Entering this season, some fans wondered if the point guard Mike Conley he would go on to play for the team at age 38 after showing serious signs of decline a year ago.

They are on Wednesday got their answer.

“Sources: Minnesota Timberwolves to reward.” Donte DiVincenzo starting guard spot to open the 2025-26 NBA season. Mike Conley will remain a vital piece,” NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on X, formerly Twitter.

Conley has been a key player for the Timberwolves over the past few seasons, but his age really started to show during the 2024-25 campaign, which may have ultimately led the coaching staff to make this decision.

DiVincenzo, meanwhile, had a bit of a down year in Minnesota last year after being traded from the New York Knicks, but he’s still an elite outside shooter who can also put the ball on the floor and provide pass defense.

Can the Timberwolves take the next step?

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had one of their best runs in franchise history over the past two seasons, but have been uncompetitive in both of their conference finals appearances, leading some to question whether the team has a hard ceiling as currently constructed.

The Timberwolves weren’t able to do much in the offseason other than re-sign a few key players, and they also watched Nikhil Alexander-Walker make a splash in free agency.

Any chance of the Timberwolves moving into legitimate championship contention likely depends on Edwards taking another step forward as a playmaker and finding ways to punish defenses more effectively when multiple players are thrown at him.

Either way, the Timberwolves and Trail Blazers are scheduled to tip things off on Wednesday at 10:00 PM ET from Portland.