After picking up his sixth flagrant foul point of the season, Rudy Gobert was sidelined for the Timberwolves' game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. As such, Minnesota was forced to look toward the end of the bench to try to replace the massive defensive hole with Gobert's absence.
After reports confirmed that Beringer would receive increased minutes, fans were eager to see what the promising young big man could do in his first real NBA minutes. Beringer did not disappoint.
Beringer's stellar game against the Bucks
In a 33-point beatdown of the Bucks, Beringer posted a strong 13 point, 5-rebound performance. Beringer's impact was felt, with a +30 plus/minus, the second highest for the team.
After entering the game at the 4:39 mark of the first quarter, Beringer would remain in the game until the 5:15 mark of the second quarter. In this time, the Timberwolves' lead swelled from three to 22, with this stretch setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Having already shown flashes of defensive ability in summer league and end-of-game minutes, it was Beringer's offense that caught many by surprise. Beringer's 13 points came on an efficient 6-7 shooting.
Beringer showed great touch around the rim, with his first basket being a running floater through contact. Beringer also scored an impressive layup on his 'favorite player' Giannis Antetokounmpo, catching the ball on the left side of the rim and reversing it for a finish on the right side of the rim.
Beringer's performance offers a promising look into the future of the center position for the Timberwolves and a potential solution to the post-Gobert era.
Beringer may solve one of the Wolves' biggest problems
While Anthony Edwards has gotten the spotlight for the Wolves' success, Rudy Gobert has an argument to be considered the MVP of the team. Gobert is putting together another DPOY-worthy season, as he can potentially become the first player ever to secure five Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Gobert's impact on the defensive side of the ball has been astounding. Notably, the Timberwolves are 15 points per 100 possessions better with Gobert on the court, a number that ranks in the 100th percentile per Cleaning the Glass.
When Gobert has been absent from the floor, opposing teams take full advantage racking up points in the paint with his him out the game.
Frontcourt size has been a glaring hole for Minnesota, as only three players measure north of 6-foot-10 -- two of them being rookies. Minnesota has resorted to a lineup with Julius Randle and Naz Reid sharing the frontcourt in the non-Gobert minutes. While this lineup can generate offense, this combination can't stop a nosebleed, as teams feast in the paint with no true frontcourt size on the court.
Beringer has the ability to change this. The 6-foot-11 19-year-old chases everything near the rim, emulating his fellow Frenchman Gobert. If Beringer can string together performances as he did against the Bucks, Minnesota will reach another level, having solved one of its biggest problems throughout the season. In addition, his ascension makes for some potentially towering lineups, with Reid sliding into the small forward position.
While Beringer's defensive potential is terrifying enough for other teams, it is his already-developing touch around the rim, soft hands, and rim-detonation that should leave teams fearful of his future.