Just before the start of Game 3, Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori told rookie wing Terrence Shannon Jr. to “be ready” at the start of the second quarter.
It was go time.
Through two games of the Western Conference Finals, it was apparent Minnesota needed a jolt. Someone who could play in transition and pierce the paint. Shannon fit the bill. Nori’s assertion wasn’t news to Shannon. He’d heard the day prior that he was set to receive minutes — from veteran guard Mike Conley.
“I hadn’t even talked to Coach (Chris Finch),” Conley said. “I just know that’s one weapon we have that can come in and spark us.”
Shannon has been that at various points of the season for Minnesota. He had a double double — 17 points and 10 rebounds — to help lead the Wolves’ wild comeback win in Oklahoma City in February. Two days later, he scored 25 points against the Lakers.
While only a rookie, Shannon will turn 25 in two months. He’s older than Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards. So, not only is he experienced — Shannon was one of the best college basketball players in the country last season — but his age puts him right on the same timeline of Minnesota’s primary young franchise pillars.
He and Edwards immediately connected.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) and guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) celebrate during the second half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
“That’s my dawg, man. We talk all the time, give each other feedback,” Shannon said. “We both work hard and we love the game, so we gelled right away when I got here.”
That hard-working aspect of Shannon is what immediately caught Edwards’ eye. Every night after Edwards wraps his session with Wolves’ player development guru Chris Hines, Shannon and Hines immediately go to work.
Conley noted the two wings play one-on-one “all the time.” Shannon obviously doesn’t approach Edwards’ stratosphere — he consistently maintains Edwards is the best player on the planet — but the two certainly share traits.
“They’re very similar body types and just play downhill,” Conley noted.
Minnesota lacks guys who can play that way when Edwards isn’t on the floor. Putting Shannon in on Saturday clearly caught Oklahoma City on its heels. Suddenly, Minnesota had another paint threat.
Shannon scored 15 points in just 13 minutes.
“That’s my game, attacking downhill, getting in the paint and making the open shot,” Shannon said. “I always work, I always stay ready (to) be the best teammate I can be during the game time and when my name’s called, do what I do.”
Conley described Shannon as a “one-man fastbreak” and added the wing can apply “the same amount of pressure” in that setting as Edwards. The veteran said Shannon will learn how to make plays out of those situations, but for now he’s happy watching the rookie live solely in attack mode.
“He’s that good,” Conley said.
So, why hasn’t he played more this season? It’s a product of Minnesota’s roster.
The Timberwolves have eight veterans who would be in the top six of nearly every NBA rotation. That left little opportunity for anyone else to break through. Shannon understood that the moment he was drafted to a Western Conference Finals team from a season ago. It’s why he didn’t struggle with riding the pine for much of the campaign.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) celebrates with guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) during the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
“I knew I was going to have to work my butt off to get in the rotation or even get minutes. I just go out there with a smile on my face every day,” Shannon said. “My time will come when it comes, man. Just taking advantage of each day is what you’ve gotta do. If you dwell on anything, ain’t gonna be no way to do it.”
That time figures to be in the new future, as Minnesota seems unlikely to be able to re-sign everyone from its top eight this season, as Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naz Reid and even potentially Julius Randle all enter free agency. One or two of those guys will certainly be back in Minnesota. But all three? Probably not.
But it also appears Shannon’s “time” could start now.
“You’re definitely going to see him more (in this series),” Wolves coach Chris Finch said. “First thing is to be good in this league, you’ve gotta keep doing what you’ve already just done, so we just want to see more of the same. But we know either way, whether the shots go in or he scores or doesn’t score, he’s going to bring energy and competitiveness. That’s what we really love about him.”
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