Friday night was a statement win for the Timberwolves - not just because they took down the defending champion Thunder, but because they did it with grit, energy, and a healthy dose of star power returning to the lineup. Anthony Edwards was back after missing three games with a foot injury, and his presence was felt, both on the court and in the vibe of the team. The Wolves looked locked in, and it showed on both ends of the floor.
But while the spotlight was rightfully on Edwards and the team’s ability to hang with the league’s elite, the win also underscored a quieter, more complicated subplot: the continued slide of Terrence Shannon Jr.’s role in the rotation.
Shannon Jr.’s Minutes Keep Shrinking
Shannon Jr. entered this season with real expectations. After flashing some serious promise during last year’s playoff run - especially in that three-game stretch during the Western Conference Finals - there was hope he’d take a leap in Year 2. Instead, December has brought more questions than answers.
Friday’s game against Oklahoma City was another tough chapter. Shannon Jr. logged just 5 minutes and 12 seconds of floor time - and that was with two key rotation players, Mike Conley and Jaylen Clark, out of the lineup.
Even a mid-game coaching change didn’t shift the trajectory. After head coach Chris Finch was ejected early in the first quarter following two technicals, assistant Micah Nori stepped in.
But even with a fresh voice on the bench, Shannon Jr. remained on the outside looking in.
He finished the night with two points, both coming from the free-throw line. And when the Timberwolves entered the fourth quarter down just two, Shannon Jr. never left the bench.
December Hasn't Been Kind
In eight December games, Shannon Jr. is averaging just 10.6 minutes per contest. But that number is skewed by a single 30-minute outing against the Warriors.
Remove that game, and his average drops to just 7.9 minutes. That’s a steep decline for a player who was expected to be a consistent contributor off the bench.
It’s not just about minutes - the overall impact hasn’t been there either. Shannon Jr. is shooting 40% from the field this season, and his assist-to-turnover ratio is flat. Add in a team-worst minus-88 in plus/minus (the next closest is Rob Dillingham at minus-28), and the numbers paint a clear picture: when Shannon Jr. is on the floor, the Timberwolves are struggling to win those minutes.
Now, plus/minus isn’t a perfect stat - especially in small sample sizes - but over 19 games, it starts to tell a story. In 15 of those 19 appearances, Minnesota has been outscored while Shannon Jr. was on the court.
What Happens When the Wolves Are Healthy?
Friday’s game was another reminder that the Timberwolves haven’t had their full rotation available in recent weeks. Conley and Clark were both out against OKC, and in the three games prior, both Conley and Edwards were sidelined. But that could be changing soon.
According to the team’s Saturday injury report, Clark isn’t listed, and Conley is questionable with right Achilles tendinopathy. If both are available for Sunday’s matchup against the Bucks, the Timberwolves could be at full strength for the first time in a while.
And that raises a tough question for Shannon Jr.: where does he fit?
If the rotation tightens up and the Wolves lean on their veterans and high-impact young players, Shannon Jr. could be staring at a DNP-CD (Did Not Play - Coach’s Decision). That’s a tough pill for any player, especially one who came into the season with expectations and momentum from last year’s postseason.
A Crossroads Moment
There’s still time for Shannon Jr. to turn things around - the season is long, and the NBA is full of second chances. But right now, the opportunity window is narrowing. With the team winning and key players getting healthy, every minute on the floor has to be earned.
The Timberwolves are chasing something real this season. They just beat the defending champs, they’ve got their star back, and they’re sitting near the top of the Western Conference. It’s a team with serious aspirations - and in that kind of environment, roles get defined quickly.
For Terrence Shannon Jr., the next few weeks could be critical. If he wants to reclaim his spot in the rotation, he’s going to have to make the most of every opportunity - no matter how small.