As an aggressive on-ball defender, Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker is constantly straddling the line between fouling and playing allowable physical defense.
In Saturday's preseason game against the Knicks, Alexander-Walker was on the wrong side of that line more often than not — officials whistled him for five fouls in 17 minutes of playing time.
When the fifth-year pro went to talk to the officials about some of his calls, he got an answer he wasn't quite expecting — he said the officials told him it was preseason for them, too.
"I'll let them warm up right now," Alexander-Walker joked after Monday's practice.
If the preseason is any indication, Alexander-Walker will be in constant communication with the officials because he will often be on the floor guarding the opposing team's best scorer.
The Wolves have not had their projected starting lineup available for each of their first three preseason games, with No. 4 on tap for Tuesday night at Target Center against the Israeli team Maccabi Ra'anana.
Anthony Edwards missed the first game as he was battling ankle soreness, and Jaden McDaniels has missed the last two because of what the team has said is a minor left calf strain.
On all three occasions, Alexander-Walker got the start. It underscored how the Wolves feel about the 6-5 Canadian, who came to the Wolves in the D'Angelo Russell-Mike Conley trade in February. His defensive presence and versatility to play any number of positions have made him an integral part of how the Wolves want to play.