Timberwolves Power Rankings: Rough nights and record breakers

7. Tyus Jones (8)

Season stats: 17.7 MPG – 4.9 PPG – 2.8 APG – 1.1 SPG – 46.1% FG – 33.9% 3PT – 90.3% FT

Weekly stats: 16.6 MPG – 4.5 PPG – 5.2 APG – 1.3 SPG – 41.7% FG – 100% FT

Much like Jamal Crawford, Tyus Jones’ position is probably not indicative of how much his play impact the team. With up-and-down minute totals and effectiveness however, a one spot rise will have to suffice.

The 21-year-old started off the stretch with five points, four rebounds and four assists against New York. Efficiency wasn’t an issue in this one as all five of his points came from the free throw line.

Next up was another Tyus Jones special, he posted 11 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals. Amazingly, the Timberwolves were 14 points better than the 76ers in the diminutive guard’s 25 minutes on the floor, despite losing by double-digits nearly the entire night.

This showing prompted some comments from Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson on the usually low bench minutes:

However, it seemingly fell directly onto deaf ears.

Jones registered a season-low five minutes and 51 seconds of playing time in the brutal Grizzlies loss. He failed to score, but he did throw out two helpers in less time than it takes to shower in the morning.

This one is on Coach Thibs.

Thibodeau did let Tyus Stones off the leash in the Hawks tilt, as he cracked the 20 minute threshold (21:14) for the second time this power rankings week. The reserve struggled with his shot, scoring just two points on 1-6 shooting but was a dime machine, finishing with a season-high nine in the win.

Barring the Memphis debacle, it was a quietly great week from Tyus Jones. (Which also included his younger brother Tre Jones being named Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball as the top high school star in the state.)

Hopefully, big brother Tyus can continue to get the sort of minutes he received in the Sixers and Hawks matchups, and show the same results.