Joan Beringer wasn’t supposed to be ready this soon. The 19-year-old center was drafted as a long-term project - raw, athletic, and full of upside, but not someone expected to make an immediate impact. And yet, here we are, just two games into meaningful minutes, and Beringer is already turning heads in Minnesota.
Let’s break it down: 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game. That’s solid production for any young big.
But when you consider the context - those numbers came against Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo - it becomes something more. That’s not just holding your own.
That’s showing you belong.
And Beringer didn’t just survive those matchups - he thrived. His +19.5 plus-minus across those two games wasn’t just the best on the Timberwolves.
It was a statement. He brought energy, rim protection, and a level of poise that’s rare for a teenager still adjusting to the NBA pace.
Both games came with Rudy Gobert out of the lineup, and in the second, Naz Reid exited early. So yes, Beringer’s opportunity was born out of necessity.
But what he did with it was anything but ordinary. He looked comfortable, confident, and impactful - three things that don’t usually show up together in a 19-year-old center still learning the ropes.
And yet, despite everything he showed, Beringer has barely seen the floor since.
In the two games following his breakout performance against Milwaukee, with the Wolves’ frontcourt back to full strength, Beringer played just seven and five minutes, respectively. That’s a head-scratcher.
Minnesota has one of the deepest big-man rotations in the league, no question - Gobert, Reid, and Julius Randle are all proven contributors. But the way Beringer played, he earned more than just mop-up duty.
The Timberwolves could use what Beringer brings - especially when Gobert isn’t on the floor. In non-Gobert minutes this season, Minnesota’s defense has taken a hit, posting a 123.6 defensive rating, per Cleaning the Glass.
But with Beringer in those minutes? That number drops to 115.1.
That’s not elite, but it’s respectable - and more importantly, it’s proof that Beringer can hold the line defensively when the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is off the floor.
So what’s the holdup?
Part of it is the roster construction. With Gobert, Reid, and Randle all needing minutes, it’s tough to find floor time for a fourth big - especially one who can’t yet stretch the floor or switch defensively the way modern small-ball lineups often demand.
When the Wolves have tried to play Beringer alongside both Reid and Randle, the results have been... ugly. In a tiny sample of nine possessions, that trio has posted a 180 defensive rating.
That’s not just bad - that’s break-glass-in-case-of-emergency bad.
But that doesn’t mean you throw the idea out entirely. It just means you get creative.
Maybe it’s staggered minutes. Maybe it’s spot duty in matchups where his skill set fits.
Maybe it’s trusting that a young player who’s already ahead of schedule can continue to grow if you give him the chance.
Because here’s the bottom line: Beringer has shown he’s ready to contribute now. Not in a year.
Not in a developmental role. Now.
He’s not just a promising project anymore - he’s a player who can help the Timberwolves win games today. And in a Western Conference where every possession counts, that’s not something you can afford to ignore.