Newly-acquired Timberwolves starting point guard D’Angelo Russell will suit up for Minnesota this evening in his team debut, according to The Athletic’s Eric Koreen (Twitter link). The Timberwolves will be taking the ascendent Raptors, who are riding a team-record 14-game win streak. The Wolves just ended a more dubious run of their own, 13 straight losses, with a Sunday defeat of the Clippers.
Russell was dealt last week to the Timberwolves in a package for wing Andrew Wiggins and future draft pick compensation. After being named an All-Star with the Nets in 2019, Russell signed a four-year, $117.3MM maximum contract with the Warriors over the summer of 2019. He was previously listed as day-to-day as he nursed a quad injury.
In 33 games for Golden State, Russell is averaging 23.6 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 3.7 RPG this season. He is shooting 43% from the field, 37.4% from the three-point line, and 78.5% from the charity stripe. Russell will serve as a significant offensive upgrade in the backcourt for the 16-35 Timberwolves.
They already beat the Clippers 142-115 without him to end their losing streak, but winning in Toronto will be a lot to ask for a team that’s gone 16-35.
Hot take!!
Lol
Predictably he was good on offense and terrible on defense.