Chris Finch knew Trey Lyles could give the Timberwolves size, shooting and experience. What surprised him was the competitive streak underneath that dependable game.

“I would have never predicted that he has kind of like a bit of an inner fire,” Finch said, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. “He’s got some s— in his blood, if you will, and I like that.”

That edge is helping turn a modest offseason addition into a player Finch increasingly trusts.

Lyles contributed nine points, six rebounds and two assists in Sunday’s 115-100 win over Utah. Minnesota outscored the Jazz by 29 points during his 21 minutes, with the reserves supplying energy while the starters struggled to establish a rhythm.

One game’s plus-minus cannot explain a player’s entire contribution. But this performance followed several in which Lyles helped Minnesota solve different problems, from creating extra possessions to handling minutes at center.

Finch’s assessment went beyond the unexpected fire.

“He’s really smart. He’s always in the right spots, covers for other people,” the coach said. “I didn’t realize he was as good of a rebounder as he is.”

Other members of the organization were less surprised.

Speaking after Tuesday’s practice, assistant coach Pablo Prigioni recalled Lyles repeatedly causing Minnesota trouble during his Sacramento years. Prigioni also followed his season at Real Madrid, where Lyles played before returning to the NBA this summer.

“He’s a smart guy. He knows how to play,” Prigioni said.

The assistant emphasized Lyles’ willingness to pursue offensive rebounds and make the next decision when a shot is unavailable. He pointed to a recent possession when Lyles drove and found Rudy Gobert for a lob.

That range of contributions gives Finch options. Lyles can space the floor, move the ball and attack an opening without requiring Minnesota to stop its offense and build a possession around him.

His familiarity with Gobert adds another benefit. The pair began their NBA careers together in Utah, and Gobert sees value in how Lyles reads the attention opponents give Minnesota’s center.

“Usually they bring two or three guys to try to box me out,” Gobert explained Sunday.

That creates opportunities elsewhere. Gobert praised Lyles for aggressively pursuing those offensive rebounds rather than leaving the job to him.

The Wolves needed that adaptability Friday in New Orleans. Lyles finished with 13 rebounds and three steals in 29 minutes, and Finch used him at center over Gobert late against the Pelicans’ smaller lineup, Krawczynski reported.

Two nights later, Lyles helped a different combination work against Utah.

Those performances illustrate the role he described after Minnesota’s November 2 win over Milwaukee.

“Just helping guys out and kind of just being like a little bit of a stabilizer,” Lyles said.

He also acknowledged that the coaching staff wanted him to seek more scoring opportunities. His response was that the encouragement had to be matched by his own willingness to pursue them.

Finding that balance has been part of learning his new teammates. Lyles wants to keep possessions moving while recognizing when Minnesota needs him to take the shot or attack the lane.

His year in Madrid provided a different kind of preparation. After a decade spent primarily as an NBA role player, he handled greater offensive responsibility overseas before returning to another complementary assignment.

Now he is helping a team manage Anthony Edwards’ absence while competing for a place near the top of the Western Conference.

Jaden McDaniels already understood the appeal.

“Trey used to … cook us the whole time, always hitting clutch shots and stuff,” McDaniels said Tuesday.

Finch is discovering more than the opponent Minnesota remembered. He has found a reserve whose judgment makes him dependable and whose competitive edge gives that steadiness some force.

With the Wolves asking their bench to sustain them through injuries and uneven nights, that combination is earning Lyles meaningful work.