With Anthony Edwards sidelined, Ayo Dosunmu has lifted the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 5-2 record while averaging 18.1 points per game on career-high shooting splits.
The Timberwolves were forced to put their grand plan of pairing Edwards with LaMelo Ball on hold when the star guard’s knee injury led to arthroscopic surgery.
Putting Dosunmu in the starting lineup has produced a dynamic duo with Ball that has kept the team on track. “They both can really score at all different levels,” coach, Chris Finch said. “Those two guys open up a lot of things for everybody.”
Asked Ayo Dosunmu about the way he attacks the space between him and the defender. He compared it to being like a running back. I said, like D'Andre Swift (he's a Bears fan). Ayo said, "no, I'm more like AP" pic.twitter.com/4qVhfW94hX
Dosunmu’s Emergence
Dosunmu, who was acquired from the Chicago Bulls at last season’s trade deadline, signed a five-year, $112 million contract in the offseason to be an instant scorer off the bench.
After Edwards was injured, he has seamlessly taken on the primary playmaker role. Dosunmu has proven to be worth every penny that the Wolves gave him this offseason, providing value in both a small and large usage role without his efficiency cratering.
In 11 games this season, Dosunmu is averaging 18.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. His shooting splits are career highs, with a 52.1 field-goal percentage and a 46.7 three-point percentage. Despite the early stage of the season, Dosunmu is establishing personal bests across the board, with highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-point percentage.
His production has been especially potent in the seven games since Edwards went down, where he is averaging 21.6 points and shooting 47 percent from three-point range on 36 attempts. “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.”
Dosunmu credits his quick decision-making and the team’s system for his success. “That's just my mindset,” Dosunmu said. “But always, you know, had a mindset of making quick decisions, being efficient, being efficient in my moves, and my shot, and my steps, and my approach to the game, and the rest of my job.”
The Dash
The most distinctive part of Dosunmu’s game has been his ability to push the pace and get downhill in transition, a trait he calls “The Dosunmu Dash.” His dominant trait is pushing pace — the Dosunmu Dash — and putting pressure on the rim for the Wolves offense in both the half-court and semi-transition possessions.
He compared his style to that of an NFL running back. After a game, Dosunmu was asked how he attacks the space between him and a defender. He compared it to being like a running back. Asked if he meant Bears running back D’Andre Swift, Dosunmu replied, “no, I'm more like AP.”
His mindset for this aggressive play is clear. “Just being aggressive, doing whatever it takes to get downhill,” Dosunmu told reporters. “Trying to create for my teammates and then create opportunities for myself. That’s just my mindset, always being aggressive.”
LaMelo Ball, who has developed strong chemistry with Dosunmu, is impressed by his speed. “I like to play fast. He’s faster than no other. He’s like a track star out there,” Ball said. “So, see him in an open lane, pretty much try to get him the ball.”
Dosunmu’s emergence has been a key factor in the Timberwolves’ success. The team is 7-3 overall and 5-2 without Edwards, positioning itself as a Western Conference contender. Dosunmu will have to continue playing at this level for a Timberwolves team that very much looks like a Western Conference contender as they await the return of their superstar.
