Timberwolves Unleash 2K-Style Starting Lineup Against Magic
The Minnesota Timberwolves are rolling out a terrifying starting five of Ball, Edwards, McDaniels, Kuminga, and Gobert on Friday.
HotTakes Editorial TeamUpdated 1 min read
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are officially rolling out a starting five of LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga, and Rudy Gobert on Friday against the Orlando Magic. This is the kind of lineup that sounds like a 2K MyLeague simulation where someone turned off the salary cap and just started mashing the trade override button.
Underdog NBA confirmed the starting group, and it is honestly terrifying for the rest of the league. We are talking about a roster that just dismantled the Miami Heat 131-106 and currently boasts a comical 23.7 net rating.
"Underdog NBA: 'Lineup alert: Timberwolves will start Ball, Edwards, McDaniels, Kuminga, Gobert on Friday.'"
The main reason for that early dominance is Anthony Edwards. He is currently averaging 45 points per game, which is not a typo. He is treating professional defenses the way a bored teenager treats a speed bump.
Then you have the frontcourt. Jonathan Kuminga just logged 30 minutes against Miami, racking up 12 points and four steals. Sliding his athleticism next to Jaden McDaniels and Gobert creates a defensive wall that could probably stop a freight train.
Speaking of Gobert, he is casually pulling down 15 rebounds a night. When your center is vacuuming up every miss and your guards are shooting the lights out, you end up with the second-best three-point percentage in the NBA at 42 percent.
For the fantasy managers holding shares of this starting five, congratulations on your impending weekly matchup victory. For the betting crowd looking at Friday's slate, trying to fade a team with this much two-way firepower feels like voluntarily stepping on a rake.
The Magic get the first real look at this fully operational death star on Friday night. Expect a track meet, and maybe say a quick prayer for whoever has to navigate the paint against this Minnesota frontcourt.
Key stats
Anthony Edwards averaging 45.0 PPG
Rudy Gobert averaging 15.0 RPG
Timberwolves hold a 23.7 net rating
Minnesota shooting 42.0% from three
What's next
The Timberwolves face the Orlando Magic on Friday night, where their new starting five will look to build on their dominant start to the season.

Key stats



