He hasn't started once this season. But Monte Morris proved, with more playing time, that he could further increase his performance. Facing the Raptors this week, the Wolves rested Mike Conley. If Nickeil Alexander-Walker regained the starting place, the replacement leader had one of his most playing times since his arrival in Minnesota.
In 25 minutes, he contributed a lot: his record this season with 13 points (5/8 on shots including 3/5 on 3-pointers), 5 assists and 4 rebounds. “ There's clearly a silver lining to Mike's absence. That's something we were really hoping for, for Monte to be on the pitch, to get a few more minutes and to have the opportunity to play with different fives. “, coward Chris Finch.
An interesting experience in the playoffs
The latter says he is satisfied with the contribution of the 28-year-old player, but seems to regret that “ sometimes the opportunity didn't present itself “. Since Mike Conley plays about 30 minutes per game, Monte Morris has to wait his turn. But the Wolves are well aware of the player's journey, who experienced several playoff campaigns with the Nuggets, including a conference final lost to the Lakers in 2020.
In other words, the hot moments, the leader who briefly passed through the Pistons at the start of the season knows. “ These next matches are important to prepare me for the playoffs. I've played big playoff games, so I know what rhythm I need to be in. I need to be more aggressive to be in the right rhythm once the playoffs arrive », displays the one who has a 39% success rate behind the arc in his career.
Still the best “assist-to-turnover” ratio
A long-distance address that Wolves would be wrong to deprive themselves of. As Anthony Edwards testifies: “ He can really shoot and we need that. Especially him and J-Mac (Jordan McLaughlin). They know how to shoot very well. I just tell him to trust (in his shot). If you're open, let it go and don't think. »
The playmaker knows how to do it. In the playoffs, taking advantage of Jamal Murray's absences, he had completed several campaigns averaging 14 points. He notably had the opportunity to show himself, during a memorable first round against the Jazz (see the Jamal Murray – Donovan Mitchell duel), and he challenged Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert. “ I love the bond between him and Rudy “, assures Monte Morris, saying he likes Mike Conley’s patience: “ Having a veteran point guard in front of me is a privilege. »
And a privilege for the Wolves to have two players of this profile. “ They don't need to have the ball in their hands, but when they do, they always make the right choice and are efficient. (Morris) plays without problem with or without the ball », continues Chris Finch, whose replacement leader is once again showing the best assist/turnover ratio in the league.
| Monte Morris | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 3 | 8 | 66.7 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3.3 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 82 | 24 | 49.3 | 41.4 | 80.2 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 10.4 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 73 | 22 | 45.9 | 37.8 | 84.3 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 9.0 |
| 2020-21 | DEN | 47 | 26 | 48.1 | 38.1 | 79.5 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 10.2 |
| 2021-22 | DEN | 75 | 30 | 48.4 | 39.5 | 86.9 | 0.4 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 12.6 |
| 2022-23 | W.A.S. | 62 | 27 | 48.0 | 38.2 | 83.1 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 10.3 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 27 | 15 | 40.9 | 36.2 | 70.6 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 5.2 |
| 2023-24 * | MIN | 21 | 16 | 42.4 | 40.4 | 73.3 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 5.4 |
| 2023-24 * | DET | 6 | 11 | 36.4 | 18.2 | 50.0 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 4.5 |
| Total | 369 | 25 | 47.7 | 39.0 | 82.5 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 10.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
