In their first matchup after the All-Star break, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch made slight alterations to the team’s rotation. While the starting lineup remained unchanged, Joan Beringer was granted early minutes. Meanwhile, both Jaylen Clark and Mike Conley stayed on the bench; Conley had been a consistent part of the rotation prior to his recent trade.
Terrence Shannon Jr. Returns but Remains on the Sidelines
Terrence Shannon Jr., who had been sidelined with a left foot injury since Christmas Day, was available for the first time in almost two months on Friday but did not play. This marked the 25-year-old’s first game back without participating, as he was designated as DNP-CD (did not play – coach’s decision).
Before his injury, Shannon’s last appearance was on December 25. He missed 25 consecutive games due to the injury but made a brief return in the G League, scoring 36 points in just 21 minutes over two outings with the Iowa Wolves before the All-Star break. Despite this strong showing, he was not inserted into the Timberwolves’ rotation in their 122-111 win against the Dallas Mavericks.
Playing Time Competition and Season Challenges
Earlier in the season, Shannon Jr. had faced another absence—a nine-game stretch in November caused by a different left foot injury. Apart from that, he had played in all but one of the first 22 games he was available for. Friday’s game marks his first non-participation decision of the current season.
The Timberwolves’ acquisition of scoring guard Ayo Dosunmu has impacted Shannon Jr.’s role, as Dosunmu appears to be filling the bench scoring guard spot initially projected for Shannon. Thus far, Shannon Jr. has averaged only 4.5 points per game while shooting 39.5% from the field, with six games without scoring compared to just four contests scoring in double digits. Alongside fellow second-year player Rob Dillingham—now with the Chicago Bulls—both have struggled to meet preseason expectations.
Potential for Increased Opportunities Remains
Though Shannon Jr. currently remains on the sidelines, this situation may evolve. The Timberwolves have stayed relatively healthy, but any future injury within the squad could open up minutes. Coach Finch will then face the choice of whether to reintroduce Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark, or Mike Conley into the rotation to capitalize on available playing time and boost team performance as the regular season progresses.
