After months of not receiving any meaningful playing time for the Minnesota Timberwolves, rookie Joan Beringer has found a role in each of the last three games. His play has many fans questioning why it took so long to see what he can do.
Now, a three-game stretch is a small sample size, and conclusions shouldn’t be made yet. If Beringer can find a way to continue to make an impact throughout the rest of the season, though, it could help alleviate some of the largest concerns that the Timberwolves have had.
Beringer can help fix flaws of the team
Particularly in their most recent game on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs, as well as last Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, Beringer played extended minutes and performed well on the court. Combining for 53 minutes in those two contests, the 19-year-old totaled 23 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. The nine fouls are a bit concerning, but the raw prospect that Beringer was believed to be wasn’t on display.
Joan Beringer has barely begun to fill out his frame and he is already one of the only guys on earth who can bother Wemby here.
— Drew Semler (@drewsemler) January 18, 2026
Beringer’s physical gifts + nonstop motor = special pic.twitter.com/dkfe72JUWo
If Beringer can continue to play this way, he’d help weaknesses that Minnesota has exhibited this season. For one, the non-Rudy Gobert minutes have seen their defensive rating skyrocket when compared to when The Stifle Tower is on the court. Beringer already looks like the team’s second-best rim protector.
For much of the season, Minnesota has struggled to find a consistent piece off its bench other than Naz Reid. Currently, for the year, the Timberwolves’ reserves rank 22nd in the league, averaging 33.4 points and 24th shooting 44.0 percent from the field.
It would also be a good sign for the Timberwolves to see one of their recent draft picks pan out. The 2024 NBA Draft might be two swings and two misses for Minnesota. Rob Dillingham is far outside the rotation and seems to be an obvious trade candidate already. Terrence Shannon Jr. has also had a disappointing second season and has been out for weeks with a left foot injury.
How much will Beringer play if frontcourt is fully healthy?
It will be interesting to see how much Chris Finch utilizes Beringer when their frontcourt is fully intact. The 6-foot-11 center played only 6:33 minutes on Friday against the Houston Rockets when both Gobert and Reid were available.
The team was missing Gobert in both games against the Bucks and Spurs. The Timberwolves also lost Naz Reid five minutes into the San Antonio contest with left shoulder soreness. Being shorthanded in the frontcourt surely was a major reason that Beringer saw so much time in those two outings.
Gobert will play in Tuesday’s game against the Utah Jazz, while Reid is listed as questionable. If Reid doesn’t play, Beringer should have an opportunity for large minutes once again and further entrench his spot in the rotation.