Joan Beringer hasn’t seen much of the floor this season, but over the last three games, the Timberwolves’ rookie has started turning heads-and raising eyebrows. After months of riding the bench, the 19-year-old big man is finally getting meaningful minutes, and he’s making the most of them. It’s early, sure, but the flashes he’s shown are hard to ignore, especially for a Timberwolves team that’s been searching for answers in its second unit.
Let’s be clear: three games is a small sample size. But what Beringer has done in that stretch-particularly in the Timberwolves’ recent matchups against the Spurs and Bucks-has been enough to spark a legitimate conversation about his role moving forward.
In those two games alone, Beringer logged 53 minutes, tallying 23 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and a pair of blocks. Yes, he also racked up nine fouls, but the raw, unpolished prospect many expected hasn’t been the one showing up on the court.
What’s been most striking is how comfortable Beringer looks defensively. Against San Antonio, he held his own in stretches against Victor Wembanyama-no small feat.
His combination of length, athleticism, and relentless energy gives Minnesota something they’ve been lacking when Rudy Gobert is off the floor: rim protection. In fact, Beringer already looks like the team’s second-best shot-blocker behind Gobert.
That’s not just encouraging-it’s potentially game-changing.
The Timberwolves have had a noticeable defensive drop-off when Gobert sits. Their second-unit struggles have been well-documented, with Minnesota’s bench currently ranked 22nd in points per game (33.4) and 24th in field goal percentage (44.0%).
Outside of Naz Reid, consistent production off the bench has been hard to come by. Beringer might not be a finished product, but if he can provide reliable minutes, especially on the defensive end, he could help stabilize a second unit that’s been more miss than hit this season.
And then there’s the draft angle. Minnesota’s 2024 draft class hasn’t exactly lit the league on fire.
Rob Dillingham has yet to crack the rotation and already feels like a trade chip more than a developmental piece. Terrence Shannon Jr. hasn’t taken a sophomore leap, and a left foot injury has kept him sidelined for weeks.
If Beringer can emerge as a contributor, it would be a much-needed win for the front office.
Of course, the big question is how much playing time Beringer will get once the Timberwolves’ frontcourt is fully healthy. On Friday against Houston, with both Gobert and Reid available, Beringer played just over six minutes.
But in the games against the Bucks and Spurs, Gobert was out, and Reid exited early against San Antonio with shoulder soreness. That opened the door for Beringer to log extended minutes-and he didn’t waste the opportunity.
Heading into Tuesday’s game against the Jazz, Gobert is expected to return, while Reid is listed as questionable. If Reid sits again, Beringer should be in line for another sizeable role. And if he continues to play with the same energy, physicality, and defensive instincts, it’s going to be hard for Chris Finch to keep him on the bench-even when the frontcourt is back at full strength.
Bottom line: Joan Beringer is starting to look like more than just a developmental project. He’s showing signs that he can contribute now, and for a Timberwolves team with real playoff aspirations, that could be a big deal.