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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 25: Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Ayo Dosunmu was the hero the Minnesota Timberwolves needed after Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards went down with injuries in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.
Dosunmu, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, scored a career-high 43 points on 13/17 shooting to give the Timberwolves the win and 3-1 series lead, despite not having their typical backcourt starters for much of the night.
Now, Dosunmu, who Minnesota acquired at the trade deadline from the Chicago Bulls, could be setting himself up for a payday over the offseason, according to a new report.
GettyAyo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates the win against the Denver Nuggets with teammates Mike Conley #10 (L) and Naz Reid #11 after Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the unrestricted free agent in Dosunmu, after his strong playoff performance, might be putting himself in line to land a sizable new contract in the upcoming offseason.
He is in the final season of a three-year, $21 million deal he signed with the Bulls, but as Marks wrote, a brand new offer could be on the table for him this summer.
“Dosunmu is eligible to sign a three-year, $52.4 million extension before June 30,” he wrote. “Because he was acquired in a trade and has Bird rights, Minnesota is allowed to exceed the cap, luxury tax and apron to re-sign the guard.”
But while he could get that three-year deal worth a bit more than $17 million annually, the Timberwolves could also sign him to an even bigger contract, especially if they want to keep him long term.
They gave up Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks, but with what he showed in Game 4, the potential for Dosunmu to turn into more than just a role player is very much a possibility.
“Acquired from the Chicago Bulls at the February deadline, Dosunmu scored 43 points off the bench in the Wolves’ Game 4 win, the second most by a reserve in playoff history,” Marks added. “For the series, Dosunmu is averaging 22.8 points on 64% shooting from the field and 52.9% from 3.”
Though it hasn’t been the biggest of sample sizes, if the Timberwolves want to keep Dosunmu, he could have a bigger role next season, as he’ll likely start in place of DiVincenzo, who is expected to miss much, or all of next year.
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 23: Jaden McDaniels #3 and Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on after Game Three of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center on April 23, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 113-96.
While Dosunmu was on full display in Game 4 for Minnesota, they’ll need him again in Game 5 as they’ll be without DiVincenzo and Edwards for at least the rest of the series.
The former will miss the rest of the year with a torn Achilles, and while he had surgery done by the same doctor who repaired Jayson Tatum‘s injury, his return timeline remains uncertain.
As for Edwards, he suffered a bone bruise and hyperextended knee in the Game 4 win. He is expected to be out for multiple weeks, but as head coach Chris Finch said, they aren’t ruling him out for the rest of the postseason.
Everything I’m told, backed by what Chris Finch said to @PAOnTheMic this morning, is that Anthony Edwards fully intends to return to the playoffs at some point, if the Wolves can stay in the fight. If they advance, my gut says their next opponent will see him at some point.
“Everything I’m told, backed by what Chris Finch said to @PAOnTheMic this morning, is that Anthony Edwards fully intends to return to the playoffs at some point, if the Wolves can stay in the fight. If they advance, my gut says their next opponent will see him at some point,” team insider Jon Krawczysnki of The Athletic wrote on X.
So for now, along with Dosunmu as their new star guard, the Timberwolves will need more strong performances from Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and more of what Rudy Gobert has offered on the defensive end guarding Nikola Jokic.
With Minnesota up 3-1 in the series, they are favored to advance, but a team like the Nuggets can’t be counted out.
Game 5 of the series tips off on Monday, April 27, at 9:30 pm CST and will be live on NBC and Peacock.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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