Every Wednesday, FOX Sports North's Phil Ervin tracks the progress of the Timberwolves' young core (players on the first or second year of their rookie contract).
ANDREW WIGGINS (age 20, first season)
Statistical averages, this week (season): 38.0 minutes (34.9), 19.0 points (15.8), 3.5 rebounds (4.3), 2.0 assists (1.9), 1.5 steals (1.1), 0.8 blocks (0.6), 41.9 FG% (43.6), 0.0 3PT% (34.7)
Advanced stats, season: 13.24 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 50.9 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 20.5 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes)
Quote: "I know every team that we face or wherever we go knows we're better than our record is." -- Wiggins
Noted: In attacking the rim with regularity, Wiggins is moving closer to a full grasp of his ability to score on almost any defender. And that's just with his 6-foot-8, 199-pound, 20-year-old body; when Wiggins adds some muscle with NBA-level weight training, watch out.
ZACH LAVINE (age 19, first season)
Statistical averages, this week (season): 15.0 minutes (20.9), 9.0 points (7.6), 3.0 rebounds (2.2), 2.0 assists (3.1), 0.5 steals (0.7), 0.25 blocks (0.1), 52.0 FG% (42.0), 42.9 3PT% (28.9)
Advanced stats, season: 10.05 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 49.4 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 20.3 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes)
Quote: "I think today's the first time I played with Zach and Wiggins together. I like that. They can run, they can jump, and I like that kind of game, feeding them on the fast break. The future is bright, but . . . we can't wait any longer. We need to start winning now." -- Point guard Ricky Rubio after Monday's game against the Clippers
Noted: With Kevin Martin out ill Monday, LaVine got some extended run at shooting guard alongside Rubio against the Clippers. While coach and president Flip Saunders continues to tinker with LaVine at the point in hopes of him morphing into a combo guard, it appears the UCLA product's most natural position remains the two, judging by his 12-point, four-assist showing against Los Angeles.
GORGUI DIENG (age 25, second season)
Statistical averages, this week (season): 31.8 minutes (29.1), 8.3 points (9.5), 8.0 rebounds (8.5), 0.0 assists (2.0), 1.25 steals (0.9), 0.5 blocks (1.6), 52.2 FG% (49.4), 0.0 3PT% (20.0)
Advanced stats, season: 17.66 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 56.3 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 14.5 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes)
Quote: "This is the second time we just lose games (late) like this. It's tough." -- Dieng after Minnesota's 110-105 loss Monday to the Clippers, which came two days after a 101-97 defeat against Memphis
Noted: Talk of Dieng's value rises every time usual starting center Nikola Pekovic has another injury flare-up. But the truth is Dieng helps the Wolves almost as much coming off the bench as he does when he starts.
ADREIAN PAYNE (age 24, first season)
Statistical averages, this week (season): 23.5 minutes (17.2), 6.5 points (4.8), 5.5 rebounds (4.4), 0.25 assists (0.1), 0.0 steals (0.1), 0.0 blocks (0.3), 39.3 FG% (30.9), 0.0 3PT% (14.3)
Advanced stats, season: 3.79 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 35.7 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 16.6 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes)
Quote: "That's like my favorite player growing up. He has done everything I'm trying to do. I'm willing and able to listen and learn as much as I can from him." -- Payne on Kevin Garnett
Noted: With Anthony Bennett out nursing an ankle injury and Garnett playing limited minutes and resting periodically, now is the time for Payne to salvage what's left of his rookie season and start vindicating Saunders' decision to trade for him. He has the help of Garnett, who's constantly in the 24-year-old's ear during timeouts and when both are on the bench.
Did not play due to injury
SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD (age 22, second season)
Muhammad is done for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured ligament in his left middle finger.
ANTHONY BENNETT (age 21, second season)
Bennett is out at least two more weeks with a sprained right ankle.
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