Game Preview: Timberwolves vs Raptors – Can Minnesota Handle Kawhi Leonard and Stay Undefeated?

The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to a 2-0 start, something they haven’t done since Chris Finch’s first full season at the helm. Back then, they fought their way through the play-in and gave Memphis a real scare in the playoffs. This year, the team feels like they finally know who they are, and right now, that identity is just plain fun.

Sunday night brings a big test at Target Center. The Toronto Raptors are also sitting at 2-0, but their wins came against a rebuilding Chicago team and a Washington squad that’s still figuring things out. Minnesota, on the other hand, took down Miami and Orlando, proving they can beat quality competition. Both teams are averaging over 120 points and keeping opponents under 100, but the Wolves have done it with relentless pressure that forces mistakes, while Toronto relies more on traditional steals.

The big story here is Kawhi Leonard’s return to the Raptors. The Clippers supposedly learned a lesson about cap management from the Timberwolves, but on the court, Leonard is still the ultimate problem. When the Wolves faced him last season, he dropped over 40 points in both games. With Leonard still working his way back into game shape, Toronto will lean on him heavily in half-court sets, backed by Scottie Barnes, who has turned into a monster on both ends of the floor.

Toronto’s defense could give Minnesota’s backcourt of LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards trouble. The passing lanes that Minnesota has used so well might end up being traps, where a Raptors defender suddenly swipes the ball away. The Wolves will have to take care of the ball and avoid letting Toronto get out and run.

Up front, the Raptors aren’t a big three-point shooting team, having made just 11 of 70 tries so far. They prefer to work in the mid-range and at the rim. Whoever guards Leonard—whether it’s Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga, or Terrance Shannon Jr.—needs to be patient, absorb the physical contact, and make him work for every shot. It won’t be about shutting him down completely, but about forcing him into tough looks and keeping his teammates from catching fire.

On the other end, Rudy Gobert should have a solid matchup against Jakob Poeltl. Minnesota might want to lean into traditional pick-and-roll plays, especially lobs, using Gobert’s height to finish above the defense. If they can keep RJ Barrett, Collin Murray-Boyles, Barnes, and Leonard from disrupting those plays, they’ll have a great shot.

The bench matchup will be crucial too. The Wolves’ reserves, led by Ayo Dosunmu, have more firepower than Toronto’s backcourt of Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter. If Terrance Shannon Jr.’s shot keeps falling, Minnesota’s second unit can break down the defense when the Raptors’ stars are resting.

Toronto’s coach, Darko Rajaković, has balanced his starters’ minutes, which is easy to do when you win by 40. The Wolves need to push the pace off of rebounds and turnovers, turning this into a track meet against an older Raptors team. If they do, they’ll find the perfect recipe for another win.

I predict a back-and-forth first quarter where both starting lineups trade baskets—Melo and Rudy working pick-and-rolls, Kawhi hitting his deadly jumper. Once the benches come in, Minnesota’s talent and effort will match Toronto’s grit, and the Wolves will start to pull ahead. The Raptors will nibble at the lead, but they won’t be able to finish the meal as Minnesota serves up an endless buffet of three-pointers.