Throughout training camp, it’s seemed like the Timberwolves struck gold picking Josh Okogie and Keita Bates-Diop in the 2018 draft. In the rookies’ first ever NBA game, they only reinforced that sentiment.
The stat lines don’t tell the whole story.
Josh Okogie scored 10 points with five rebounds and a steal, and hit his only three-point attempt. Keita Bates-Diop didn’t shoot the ball well (he went 1-9) but hit three-of-four foul shots and grabbed six rebounds.
More importantly, both players were aggressive and didn’t shy away from the moment. Bates-Diop got his field goal in a great pull-up transition opportunity, and Okogie’s assertiveness led to a few phenomenal buckets inside.