Bones Hyland Is Giving the Timberwolves the Spark They’ve Been Missing
For most of the season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been searching for answers off the bench-and it’s no secret why. The departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Atlanta left a noticeable void in Minnesota’s second unit, and the numbers back it up. The Wolves have slipped from 19th to 26th in bench points per game, and outside of Naz Reid, consistent scoring has been hard to come by.
Alexander-Walker’s absence hasn’t just been felt in the box score. His versatility-on-ball defense, secondary playmaking, shot creation, and reliable spot-up shooting-was a key piece of Minnesota’s rotation. And with him now averaging 20.3 points in what’s shaping up to be a breakout, Most Improved Player-type campaign, the sting of that loss is even sharper.
Minnesota’s tried to fill the gap with a mix of young talent. Terrence Shannon Jr., Rob Dillingham, and Jaylen Clark have all had their moments, but none have quite stepped into Alexander-Walker’s shoes. Surprisingly, it’s been Bones Hyland who’s come the closest-and while his game is stylistically different, his recent play has started to ease the pain.
Hyland’s Emergence Is Changing the Bench Dynamic
Since rejoining the rotation two weeks ago-excluding a brief stint against Golden State due to injury-Hyland has been a revelation. He’s logging 24.2 minutes per game and producing 13.2 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds on highly efficient shooting splits: 48.8% from the field, 40% from three, and 85.7% from the line.
That’s not just solid production-it’s exactly what the Timberwolves have been missing. Hyland brings a jolt of energy off the bench, combining rim pressure with perimeter shot-making in a way that opens up the floor and creates opportunities for others. His ability to generate offense on his own has been a game-changer for a second unit that’s struggled to find rhythm.
Minnesota’s need for a true point guard has been an ongoing storyline. Alexander-Walker wasn’t a traditional floor general, but he helped stabilize the offense with his ball-handling and decision-making. While Hyland may not be the long-term answer at the position, he’s proving to be an intriguing stopgap.
A Glimmer of Hope for the Wolves’ Second Unit
What makes Hyland so valuable is his offensive toolkit. He’s got speed, a tight handle, and a knack for creating his own shot.
He’s hitting 38.5% of his pull-up threes and converting 71.4% of his looks at the rim-numbers that showcase both his range and his ability to finish in traffic. In many ways, this is the kind of impact the Wolves hoped to see from Dillingham in Year 2.
Instead, it’s Hyland-who barely made the roster out of camp-who’s stepping up and delivering. His emergence alongside Naz Reid gives Minnesota a legitimate scoring punch off the bench, something they’ve sorely missed since Alexander-Walker’s departure.
If Hyland can sustain this level of play, the Wolves’ second unit starts to look a lot more like the one that helped propel them last season. And in a Western Conference where margins are razor-thin, that kind of internal boost could make all the difference.
For a team with postseason aspirations, Bones Hyland might just be the unexpected spark that changes the course of the season.