Timberwolves Advance Past Nuggets as Terrence Shannon Jr. Emerges as X-Factor

Minnesota entered Game 6 of the Western Conference first round with a 3-2 lead over Denver. Star guards Anthony Edwards (hyper-extended knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (ruptured Achilles) left the series after Game 4, eliminating 41 points per game and pushing the Timberwolves to rely on bench players.

Associated Press

Second-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr. averaged 5.6 points in the regular season but surged to 27.3 points per game in his final three outings. He scored 15 points in 14 minutes in Game 5 and, after being inserted into the starting lineup for Game 6, posted 24 points on 9-20 shooting (1-7 from three, 5-5 free throws), six rebounds, two steals and 35 minutes. The Wolves reduced turnovers from 25 in Game 5 to under 15 in Game 6, and the bench contributed 41 points, with Ayo Dosunmu adding 18.

Sports Illustrated

Coach Chris Finch said Shannon’s “first shift was full of a lot of game-plan mistakes” and that “we’ve got to clean that up.” He added that “starts with, gotta be ready… he’s gotta be fully committed to that side of the ball.” Finch also claimed there’s “no reason he shouldn’t be a good defender with his body type and athleticism.” Fans and analysts called the body-type remark tone-deaf, arguing it downplayed defensive lapses and that Finch should have spoken in terms of trust.

Sports Illustrated

Shannon’s three-point play with 1:43 left gave Minnesota a six-point edge, and his speed in the paint forced Denver into contested shots. Jaden McDaniels added 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Rudy Gobert anchored the interior defense, limiting Nikola Jokic’s efficiency. Minnesota won 110-98 to eliminate the Nuggets.

ESPN

Finch’s assessment of Shannon’s defense varies: one source cites “a lot of game-plan mistakes,” while another notes that “the defensive possessions weren’t egregious.” No post-game defensive metrics were released, leaving the true impact ambiguous.

Chris Finch misses the forest for the trees with tone deaf Terrence Shannon Jr. quote

Shannon’s breakout start helped Minnesota overcome a 27-point deficit in Game 5 and clinch the series, underscoring bench depth when a team’s core backcourt is sidelined. The Wolves now travel to San Antonio for a second-round matchup against the Spurs.

Sports Illustrated

• “I don't clean that up,” — Chris Finch, press conference

Sports Illustrated

• “He's gotta be engaged, he's gotta be fully committed to that side of the ball.” — Chris Finch, post-Game 5 interview

Sports Illustrated

• “They’re a championship team. They have championship DNA,” — Julius Randle, post-Game 5 comment

Associated Press