A Breakthrough Performance in Chicago
Minnesota Timberwolves rookie guard Isaiah Evans delivered his most impactful performance of the preseason on Friday, October 16, 2026, scoring a team-high 21 points in a 133-116 loss to the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. According to DAZN, the 20-year-old guard connected on 5-of-10 three-point attempts, providing a necessary offensive spark for a Minnesota roster that rested several established stars, including Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and Rudy Gobert.
Evans, selected 33rd overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, entered the contest looking to reverse a trend of inconsistent shooting that plagued his Summer League debut and early preseason appearances. His 6-for-13 shooting night from the field, complemented by a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the free-throw line, offered the Timberwolves organization a tangible look at the perimeter spacing capabilities that influenced their decision to sign him to a four-year, $9.3 million contract this past July.
Addressing Perimeter Depth Concerns
The Timberwolves enter the 2026-27 regular season with specific needs regarding perimeter depth, primarily due to the absence of veteran Donte DiVincenzo, who is currently recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon. As reported by Dunking With Wolves, Evans’ ability to operate as a high-volume catch-and-shoot threat makes him a natural, albeit developing, complement to ball-dominant stars like Edwards and Ball. While Evans showed confidence by hitting shots from deep range, including one from near the hash marks, the coaching staff faces a crowded competition for rotational minutes.
The path to consistent NBA minutes for the former Duke standout remains complex. Veterans such as Ayo Dosunmu and Josh Green, alongside younger wings like Jaylen Clark, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Cody Williams, are all competing for similar roles. Evans’ performance in Chicago served as a reminder of his ceiling, but internal projections suggest that he may spend significant time developing in the G League to refine his defensive consistency and add the necessary physical strength to his 6-foot-6 frame.
From Draft Night Uncertainty to NBA Opportunity
Evans’ journey to Minnesota has been defined by recalibration. After a stellar collegiate career at Duke—where he led the team with 101 made three-pointers as a sophomore and earned third-team All-ACC honors—he experienced a surprising slide on draft night as the only green-room invitee to go unselected in the first round. His acquisition by Minnesota, part of the trade that brought LaMelo Ball to the franchise, placed him in a high-stakes environment where immediate production is expected.
The statistical profile that made Evans a coveted prospect remains intact despite his early professional struggles. During his time at Duke, he ranked in the 94th percentile for three-point rate, according to Draftballr data cited by Dunking With Wolves. Translating that volume and efficiency to the NBA speed of play is the primary objective for the coming months. With the regular season opener against the Miami Heat scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, the Timberwolves will have to decide how much of a role the rookie can realistically play in a rotation designed to compete for a championship.
Ultimately, Evans’ shooting against the Bulls provided the team with a baseline for his potential contribution. While he is not yet a knockdown threat at the professional level, his ability to space the floor will be closely monitored as the team navigates the early stages of the season without DiVincenzo. The focus for the organization now shifts to player development, ensuring that the confidence Evans displayed in his final preseason outing can be sustained against the defensive intensity of regular-season competition.