Report: 'Optimism' Wolves' Randle, DiVincenzo Will Make Injury Returns on Road Trip

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been mired by injuries throughout the season, but their depleted roster reportedly could get some new life soon.

During an appearance on NBA Countdown, ESPN's Shams Charania reported: "I'm told that there is optimism that Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo will be able to return to the lineup at some point over the team's upcoming four-game road trip."

Randle has missed the last nine games with a groin injury, while DiVincenzo has been sidelined for the last 17 games due to a toe injury.

Both players were acquired as part of the offseason trade that sent star center Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, and after some early hiccups, they both found a rhythm prior to going down with their injuries.

Charania noted the Timberwolves went 10-4 in their last 14 games with Randle in the lineup, including a five-game win streak. The 30-year-old averaged 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his 48 appearances this season.

DiVincenzo averaged 11.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 40 games this season, but he upped his production before being sidelined. Across eight games in January, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 41.8 percent from three-point range.

The Timberwolves rank seventh in the Western Conference with a 31-26 record entering Sunday night's game against the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder (45-10). Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards has done his best to keep Minnesota afloat and ranks fourth in the league with 27.6 points per game, but the team has lost three of its last four outings.

Getting Randle and DiVincenzo back in the lineup will improve the Timberwolves' chances of climbing the standings as the postseason approaches.