Mike Conley out for rest against Hornets, Donte DiVincenzo returns to starting lineup

Rudy Gobert remains out with a back injury for Wednesday night's game.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center in Phoenix on March 2, 2025. | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley has been ruled out for Wednesday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets for a rest day on the second night of a back to back. Center Rudy Gobert also remains out with a back injury.

Donte DiVincenzo will return to the starting lineup in place of Conley, getting his first start since returning from a turf toe injury on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. DiVincenzo had just entered the starting lineup when he went down with the toe injury in mid-January, but has been coming off the bench and has been on a minutes restriction. Still, he's made a big impact, averaging 14.3 points, 5.3 assists. 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game since his return. Conley is resting Wednesday night, but it seems likely DiVincenzo will return to the starting unit after the minutes restriction is lifted.

Forward Julius Randle will be back in the lineup for the third straight game after a lengthy absence for a groin injury. Randle has remained questionable on the injury report since he's returned, but has played full minutes each game, including Tuesday night's win over the Philadelphia 76ers, when both Randle and Conley played. In the two games since Randle has returned to the lineup, he's averaging 18.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 32 minutes per game.

Tonight’s @Timberwolves starters at Charlotte:

DiVincenzo
Edwards
McDaniels
Randle
Reid

OUT:
Conley - Rest
Gobert - Low Back Injury Maintenance
Newton - Two-Way

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) March 5, 2025

Minnesota @Timberwolves Status Report in advance of tonight’s game at Charlotte:

QUESTIONABLE
Randle - Right Groin Strain

OUT
Conley - Rest
Gobert - Low Back Injury Maintenance

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) March 5, 2025

Gobert remains out and hasn't played since Feb. 12 against the Milwaukee Bucks due to back spasms. Gobert hasn't been expected to miss any significant time, but he still is yet to return since the All-Star break. Gobert is averaging 11.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game this season. The good news is Anthony Edwards, who briefly exited Tuesday night's game but returned with his thumb wrapped, was not on the injury report and is good to go against the Hornets.

DiVincenzo, Edwards, Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid will start against the Hornets Wednesday night.

The Hornets have ruled out Tre Mann (herniated disc), Brandon Miller (wrist), Josh Okogie (hamstring), KJ Simpson (G League) and Grant Williams (ACL). Jusuf Nurkic (back) and Taj Gibson (illness) are probable for the game.

The Wolves at Hornets tip off at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday night in Charlotte, N.C.