Chris Finch's handling of young players is starting to infuriate Timberwolves fans

Take a look at the Timberwolves’ box score from Wednesday night in their loss to the Grizzlies, and it’s fairly evident that Chris Finch only had trust in 6 players. For the third straight contest, both Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley were sidelined. Bones Hyland has been inserted into the starting lineup.

Now, looking at the bench, only Naz Reid received ample playing time. If Minnesota’s youngsters (Terrence Shannon Jr., Rob Dillingham, and Jaylen Clark) can’t see extended time with two rotation pieces out, when will they?

Naz Reid was the only bench player that Finch seemed to trust

In Wednesday’s losing effort, the Timberwolves’ bench played a total of 61 minutes. Nearly half of those went to Reid (30).

Dillingham and Shannon Jr. played just 11, and Clark was on the floor for nine. In the three games sans Edwards and Conley, Clark has totaled 45 minutes, Dillingham 40, and Shannon Jr. 54 (with 30 coming in the first game without the two against the Warriors).

Sure, that’s a slight increase in playing time, but barely. Now, the three combined for just 13 points on 5-15 shooting on Wednesday. It’s concerning, though, that one-third of the way through the regular season, Finch isn’t putting more faith in them even with players out.

Irregular playing time for all three all season

If you recall, prior to Edwards and Conley being sidelined, Dillingham received a DNP-CD. Finch instead turned to Hyland in that December 8 game against the Suns. If Minnesota wasn’t missing two players, there’s a good chance Dillingham still wouldn’t be coming off the bench.

Before Minnesota’s last three games, Shannon Jr. had only totaled 26 minutes in the previous four. The 25-year-old hasn't reached double figures in scoring since November 29 (also is a team-worst -87 on the season).

Clark had 8 straight outings of double-digit minutes entering Wednesday night. The team is 14-0 when Clark plays at least 14 minutes. While the team was outscored by nine points on Wednesday with him on the court, his play this year shouldn’t have Finch souring on him because of one playing stint. Clark played one second in the second half, and that came with the Timberwolves trying to intentionally foul at the end of the game.

Minnesota next plays Friday at home against the defending champion Thunder. Hopefully, Edwards and/or Conley are back because the ultimate challenge will be beating them while only really trusting six players.