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Timberwolves land 2 in All-Star Game; Rudy Gobert snubbed

Rudy Gobert did not get in despite being a defensive force.
Timberwolves land 2 in All-Star Game; Rudy Gobert snubbed
Timberwolves land 2 in All-Star Game; Rudy Gobert snubbed

For the third time in team history, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be sending two players to the All-Star Game in Indianapolis, Ind.

Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are the first pair of Wolves since Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell in 2004 to be selected to the All-Star Game. Garnett was joined by Wally Szczerbiak in 2002 in the only other instance of two Minnesota players at the All-Star Game.

Edwards leads the team in scoring at 25.5 points per game, good for 15th in the league while his 2.7 Defensive Win Shares is tied for fourth in the NBA. This is Edwards' second consecutive All-Star appearance.

Towns is, once again, hovering around 50-40-90 season, shooting 52.2% from the field, 44.2% from three and 87.2% from the free throw line. His 3-point percentage is seventh highest in the league. The 28-year-old is averaging 22.7 points and will be making his fourth All-Star Game appearance.

Towns' 2.9 Defense Win Shares is second in the league only behind teammate Rudy Gobert, who sports a 3.6 DWS.

Gobert, an All-Star snub, is averaging a double-double this season, scoring 13.4 points  and 12.4 rebounds per game. The Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner is a four-time All-Star, having last been invited to the showcase during the 2021-22 season.

The pair of Wolves could be joined in Indianapolis by head coach Chris Finch if Minnesota beats Orlando Friday night. The coaches with the best record in each conference two weeks before the All-Star Game send their staff to lead their All-Star teams.


Published
Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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