Terrence Shannon Jr. Shows Signs of Life with Sharpshooting Night Against Bucks
Terrence Shannon Jr.’s second NBA season hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. The Minnesota Timberwolves wing came into the year with expectations of taking a leap, but so far, his role has been limited and his production modest. Through the early part of the season, Shannon is averaging just 13.3 minutes per game, with 5.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists on shooting splits of 41.6% from the field, 42.9% from three, and 77.8% from the free throw line.
But within those numbers lies a glimmer of something promising-his shooting from deep.
Shannon’s 3-point percentage is a clear bright spot. He’s hitting 42.9% of his threes, albeit on a small sample size (1.6 attempts per game), but those shots make up nearly half of his total field goal attempts.
That’s a significant development for a player who came into the league with questions about his outside shot. As a rookie, Shannon shot a respectable 35.5% from beyond the arc, and during his five-year college career, he hovered around 34.7%.
So this kind of efficiency, even in limited minutes, is a step forward.
The concerns with Shannon’s game are still there-his finishing, playmaking, and defense have all been inconsistent. But in a league where shooting opens doors, his growth as a perimeter threat could be the key to unlocking the rest of his game.
We saw a flash of that potential on Sunday night in the Timberwolves’ win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Shannon logged just 12 minutes, but he made them count-scoring 11 points and knocking down 3 of his 5 attempts from deep. It was one of his most impactful performances of the season, and it didn’t go unnoticed.
After the game, head coach Chris Finch spoke highly of Shannon’s development as a shooter, noting the confidence and rhythm in which he let it fly.
“He’s worked really hard on it,” Finch said. “Definitely feels like a reliable shooter to me and shot it with confidence.
It came within the flow of the offense. When that happens, they all look like they’re gonna go in.”
That kind of praise matters-especially from a coach known for valuing floor spacing and smart shot selection. Shannon’s ability to hit threes within the offense, rather than forcing them, is exactly what the Timberwolves need from a rotational wing.
Now, let’s be clear: Shannon’s spot in the rotation is far from guaranteed. With players like Bones Hyland showing out, there’s real competition for minutes.
But if Shannon keeps knocking down shots at this clip, he’ll make it tough for Finch to keep him on the bench. The Timberwolves have leaned on Nickeil Alexander-Walker in that wing role, and if Shannon can round out the rest of his game, he could be the long-term answer in that slot.
The challenge? He still has work to do-especially around the rim.
Despite being known in college for his ability to attack the basket, Shannon is shooting just 36.4% on drives this season. That’s a steep drop-off for a player who was once considered a dynamic slasher.
The same issue shows up in transition, where he’s converting just 38.9% of his opportunities and ranks in the 17th percentile league-wide. For a team that often struggles to generate easy transition buckets, that’s a missed opportunity.
A big part of the problem lies in his finishing mechanics. Shannon tends to rely heavily on his left hand, making him predictable and easier to defend when he gets downhill. There’s no question he has the athleticism and strength to be a better finisher-he just hasn’t put it all together yet.
His playmaking is another area that needs refinement. With as many turnovers as assists, Shannon has struggled to make the right reads consistently.
He’s shown flashes, but they’re often followed by questionable decisions or forced passes. Defensively, he’s still learning the nuances of the NBA game.
He tends to gamble too much, looking for steals or jumping passing lanes, which can leave the defense exposed. But at 6-foot-6 with solid length and athleticism, the tools are there.
And to his credit, he’s had some strong defensive moments-Sunday’s win included.
So where does that leave us?
Shannon’s season hasn’t been the breakout campaign many hoped for, but it’s far from a lost cause. His 3-point shooting is real, and that alone gives him a pathway to meaningful minutes. If he can continue to shoot at a high level while making incremental improvements in his finishing, playmaking, and defensive discipline, he has the potential to become a valuable piece in this Timberwolves rotation.
He’s not there yet. But Sunday night showed a version of Terrence Shannon Jr. that the Wolves-and their fans-should be excited about.