The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading into the All-Star break with some serious momentum. On Wednesday night, they notched their second straight win in emphatic fashion, steamrolling the Portland Trail Blazers in a game that felt more like a statement than just another W in the standings.
At the center of it all? Julius Randle.
The veteran forward, fresh off being left off the All-Star roster, played like a man with something to prove. He poured in 41 points, putting on a scoring clinic that reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be when he’s locked in.
It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just turn heads-it demands respect.
But the Timberwolves’ night wasn’t just about Randle. Behind the scenes, another storyline is quietly gaining traction: the rise of Terrence Shannon Jr.
Minnesota officially recalled Shannon Jr. from their G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, following a monster performance against the Austin Spurs. The rookie wing dropped 36 points on an ultra-efficient 10-for-15 shooting clip, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the line. That kind of production isn’t just impressive-it’s eye-opening.
Shannon Jr. came into the league as a promising prospect out of Illinois, and while his minutes were limited during the regular season last year, he showed flashes of real potential when it mattered most. In the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shannon Jr. stepped up when the lights were brightest. Despite Minnesota falling short in that series, he was one of the few bench players who consistently generated offense, offering a glimpse of what he might bring long-term.
The Timberwolves clearly took notice.
Their recent trade-sending out fellow 2024 draftee Rob Dillingham in exchange for Chicago Bulls wing Ayo Dosunmu-signals a shift in how they’re building around their core. Dillingham, despite the hype coming into the draft, never quite found his footing in Minnesota.
But Shannon Jr.? The organization seems to believe he’s just getting started.
And now, he’s back with the big club, just in time for the stretch run.
While the Timberwolves get a well-earned break over All-Star weekend, Anthony Edwards will be representing the franchise in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome. When they return to action next Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, all eyes will be on how this team continues to evolve-with Shannon Jr. now firmly back in the mix.
For a squad already making noise in the West, adding another dynamic young piece to the rotation could make things even more interesting down the stretch.