The Timberwolves are in the middle of their longest layoff thus far in the regular season. Last playing on Monday (a win against the Jazz), their next game comes on Friday against the Kings at the Target Center.
Missing in action the last four outings for Minnesota with a foot injury, it’s unclear if Terrence Shannon Jr. will be back for the game against Sacramento (or the following day against the Nuggets). With Chris Finch beginning to shrink his rotation, will he even receive meaningful minutes if he were to return?
Shannon Jr. has missed 4 straight outings
Now in his second season, Shannon Jr. hasn’t played since November 3 with a foot injury. Prior to each of the four games, he was originally listed as questionable before being changed to out.
Entering the season, Shannon Jr. was expected to play a large role, especially since Nickeil Alexander-Walker left in free agency to join the Hawks. Shannon Jr. showcased his scoring chops in last season's Western Conference finals. After a strong performance in the opener, it has mostly been subpar play from the 25-year-old prior to the injury.
In Shannon Jr.’s six outings since the opener, he has averaged just 2.8 points, 2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 14.8 minutes. That is just 17 total points, with nine of them coming in one game. He has shot just 5-21 from the field (23.8%) and 2-9 from 3-point range (22.2%). Shannon Jr. was mainly supposed to provide scoring and energy off the bench, so this is concerning.
Chris Finch is beginning to shorten his rotation
In the Timberwolves’ last game, a victory over the Jazz, Chris Finch used a shorter rotation than he had been using thus far. The only two reserves that received ample time were Naz Reid and Mike Conley.
Rob Dillingham played just under minutes, none of which came in the second half. Jaylen Clark saw just under three minutes of action over the final two quarters.
Bones Hyland, a pleasant surprise to begin the year, is now out of the rotation. What will happen with Shannon once he returns? Perhaps Finch gives him an opportunity to earn his rotation spot back, but it could be a quick leash if Shannon Jr. performs as he did before the injury. For now, Clark seems to be above Shannon Jr. in the rotation, and he is competing with Dillingham for minutes.