Ayo Dosunmu's career year is coming at the right time for the Timberwolves image
Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Although the Minnesota Timberwolves are without Anthony Edwards for the foreseeable future, they have yet to miss the star on the court. A big reason for that is the emergence of Ayo Dosunmu.
The Timberwolves acquired Dosunmu from the Bulls last season, then signed him to a big deal in the offseason. The former Illinois basketball star has been everything Minnesota needed in a sixth man, but he has taken Edwards' spot in the starting lineup after Edwards injured his knee.
Since then, Dosunmu has stepped up his game while giving the Timberwolves exactly what they needed next to point guard LaMelo Ball. With Edwards' return date still unknown, Dosunmu will have to continue playing up to this level for a Timberwolves team that very much looks like a Western Conference contender.
Here's more on Dosunmu's great start to the 2026-27 season.
Ayo Dosunmu stats 2026-27
Games: 11
MPG: 31.4
PPG: 18.1
RPG: 4.9
APG: 4.0
SPG: 1.3
BPG: 0.5
FG%: 52.1%
3P%: 46.7%
FT%: 89.7%
Although the season is still young, Dosunmu is putting up career numbers across the board with highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-point percentage. It has especially picked up in the last seven games, which have all come without Anthony Edwards, who is out with a knee injury.
Dosunmu has produced four 20-point games in that span, which includes a double-double and a field-goal percentage above 50 percent. He is also producing more than just scoring, as his rebound and assist totals have also increased since Edwards went down.
After years playing for an underwhelming Bulls team, Dosunmu is now a key part of a contending Minnesota squad. However, head coach Chris Finch believes Dosunmu has always been capable of performing at this level.
"I think it’s always been in there. I think a lot of his game is the same," Finch said. "It's not like he's necessarily had to go and search for something to up his production. I think a lot of it is also related to just the shots that we've been able to generate. Like I said earlier, pretty high quality. So he's making a lot of big shots too, big timely shots, and they feel open and in the rhythm of the offense. That’s going to help anybody."
With Edwards out, Dosunmu and LaMelo Ball have stepped forward as the leaders on the court, as Minnesota is now 5-2 without their star. Ball was very complimentary of Dosunmu after Minnesota's most recent win against the Jazz.
"Ayo is a track star. I call him 'The Jet,'" Ball said. "He definitely get out and run, and I love people who get out and run. It's easy to play with him."
The Timberwolves now have a few days off before returning to the court on Thursday, when they will play the Dallas Mavericks. In the meantime, Minnesota is currently one of four Western Conference teams with eight wins on the season.
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