Joan Beringer’s night against Orlando looked a lot more like the version Minnesota needs.
After a rough opening to the season - and a preseason that already had people wondering about his place in the rotation - the Timberwolves big man answered with the kind of shift that changes the tone around a player fast. In Friday’s 115-93 win over the Orlando Magic, Beringer logged 15 minutes and finished with nine points and nine rebounds, giving Minnesota a real jolt in a game where Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball combined to shoot 5-for-36 from the field.
The Wolves still won comfortably, but this one was built on the kind of work Beringer is supposed to bring. Minnesota controlled the glass from start to finish, outrebounding Orlando 61-43 and winning the offensive rebounding battle 22-8.
The Wolves also took 14 more field goal attempts, and that edge in possessions played a major role in how the night unfolded. Beringer was right in the middle of that.
His activity around the rim turned into extra chances, and he kept the pace moving by running the floor well enough to create easy looks in transition. He brought energy, stayed under control, and handled the Magic’s physical play without getting rattled.
It wasn’t spotless. Beringer had two turnovers and a couple of minor defensive mistakes, but the bigger picture was far more important than the blemishes.
More often than not, he was in the right place, making the right reads, and looking comfortable. He also stayed out of foul trouble, which mattered after that had been an issue last season and again in the preseason.
That’s the encouraging part for Minnesota. With limited frontcourt depth behind Rudy Gobert, Beringer isn’t just a developmental luxury; he’s someone the Wolves are going to need.
Nights like Friday’s show why. Even before the polish arrives, his rebounding and energy can help Minnesota survive those non-Gobert minutes.
And as the season moves along, there’s still room for him to clean up the rough edges and grow into more than just a spark plug.
For now, though, the Wolves got exactly what they wanted: a reminder that Beringer can swing a game with effort, size, and activity alone.
In Other News...
Anthony Edwards Has The Wolves Drawing Real Attention Already
Before the home opener, the Timberwolves were already drawing attention from the other sideline, with Raptors coach Darko Rajakovi making it clear he sees Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball as part of a young backcourt that can grab a leaguewide audience. He also pointed to the overall talent on Minnesotas roster, a sign the Wolves are starting to look like a team opponents are studying closely instead of simply preparing for.
Toronto arrives shorthanded, too, after ruling out Kawhi Leonard because of knee swelling, which only sharpens the backdrop for a game that has a little more weight than a typical early-season matchup. For Minnesota, this is the kind of night that can help confirm the growing buzz around Edwards and the group around him, especially when an opposing coach is already talking about the matchup in flattering terms. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Showed Off A New Strength In A Blowout Win
The Timberwolves first home game of the season came with the kind of cushion teams usually earn only after theyve built a real identity. Minnesota rolled past Toronto by 23 points, making it three straight wins by 20 or more and offering another reminder that this group can now overwhelm opponents in stretches even when the rotation is forced to shift around. With LaMelo Ball limited by foul trouble, the Wolves leaned deeper into the bench, and players like Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. helped keep the pressure on.
There was still a flaw tucked inside the blowout, though, and its one Minnesota will want to clean up as the schedule tightens. The offense kept humming, but the defensive rebounding lagged, especially in minutes when Rudy Gobert sat, allowing Toronto extra chances it probably never should have had in a game that lopsided. For a team playing this well, those empty possessions are the kind of detail that can matter a lot more when the margin shrinks. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves 3-0 Start Is Fueling Real Belief In Their Depth
Three games into the season, the Timberwolves have already shown why depth can matter as much as star power in the grind of an NBA schedule. Minnesotas 3-0 start came against playoff-caliber Eastern Conference teams, and the common thread has been a bench that keeps producing instead of just surviving minutes before the stars return. Role players have looked comfortable in real rotation roles, giving the Wolves a more layered feel than a team still trying to find its footing.
Ayo Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Trey Lyles have all given Minnesota useful minutes, the kind that can change the tone of a game when the first unit needs a breather. Jonathan Kuminga has fit that same mold as a complementary starter, giving the Wolves efficient offense without needing the ball to dominate possession, and that kind of balance is exactly what makes this early run feel meaningful. The real question now is how long this level of contribution can hold, because if the supporting cast stays this reliable, Minnesotas early belief might be grounded in something real. [Read more 🡒]