Joan Beringer’s Breakout Week Has Timberwolves Rethinking His Role
Don’t let the Timberwolves’ narrow loss to the Spurs on Saturday fool you - the real story was unfolding in real time, and it came in the form of a 19-year-old rookie making a serious case for a permanent spot in Minnesota’s rotation. Joan Beringer, the 17th overall pick in last year’s draft, logged meaningful fourth-quarter minutes in a tight game, and not just in mop-up duty. This was crunch time, and Beringer was out there battling.
Minnesota entered the final quarter trailing by 12, having already climbed back from a 25-point halftime deficit. That’s not the usual setting for a rookie big who, just a week ago, was barely seeing the floor. But Beringer didn’t just get thrown into the fire - he held his own and then some.
He played over seven minutes in the final frame before picking up his fifth foul just eight seconds into the quarter, which cut his stint short. Still, in 23 total minutes, Beringer posted 10 points, eight rebounds (including five on the offensive glass), three assists, and two blocks. The Timberwolves were +9 with him on the floor - a stat that jumps off the page, especially given the context.
It’s worth noting that Minnesota was shorthanded in the frontcourt. Rudy Gobert sat out with a bruised left hip, and Naz Reid exited early with shoulder soreness. But even with the rotation thinned out, head coach Chris Finch didn’t hesitate to lean on Beringer - something that would’ve seemed far-fetched just a few games ago.
And if Saturday felt like a breakout, it was actually Beringer’s second strong showing in less than a week. Four nights earlier against the Milwaukee Bucks, he logged nearly 30 minutes and finished +30 in the box score. He added 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists in that one, flashing a blend of energy, length, and basketball IQ that’s hard to ignore.
Before that Milwaukee game, Beringer had only appeared in 14 games for a grand total of 62 minutes. But over the last three contests - including a 6:33 stint against Houston on Friday - he’s nearly doubled his season minutes. And with each appearance, he’s looking more and more like a guy who belongs.
Beringer’s motor has been undeniable, especially on the offensive glass. His ability to keep possessions alive and finish around the rim is already giving Minnesota a much-needed spark when Gobert isn’t on the floor.
Defensively, he’s shown flashes of being ahead of the curve - not just for a rookie, but period. His timing, mobility, and willingness to contest shots have helped stabilize a unit that often struggles without Gobert anchoring the paint.
So where does that leave him?
Finch mentioned after the Milwaukee game that Beringer could still spend more time in Iowa with the G League affiliate, where he played seven games in December. But after this week, that plan might need re-evaluation. With the way Beringer has performed in real NBA minutes - and meaningful ones at that - it’s getting harder to justify sending him back down.
For a player who only started playing basketball in 2021, Beringer’s rapid development is remarkable. He’s not just catching up - he’s already making an impact.
The Timberwolves may have found something here, and the question now isn’t whether he deserves a longer look. It’s whether they can afford not to give him one.