In a stunning performance, Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. came off the bench to lead his team to a commanding 143-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. Shannon's impressive display, where he scored 15 points in just 13 minutes, significantly contributed to the Timberwolves cutting the Thunder's series lead to 2-1.
The last time Terrence Shannon Jr. took the court at the Target Center during the postseason, he delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 34 points to lead Illinois to a Big Ten tournament title against Wisconsin in March. In that game, he was a pivotal player, spending only four minutes on the bench. Fast forward to Saturday night, and Shannon was called upon again, albeit for a mere four minutes in the first half as the Timberwolves sought to ignite their playoff run.
With the Timberwolves down 2-0 in the playoff series but enjoying a 20-point lead early in the second quarter, head coach Chris Finch made the strategic decision to delve deeper into the bench. This move paid off as Shannon, who had only seen a total of five minutes during the Wolves' second-round series against the Golden State Warriors, quickly made his presence felt on the court.
In a matter of minutes, Terrence Shannon Jr. outperformed the Thunder's starters, including NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who managed only 14 points. Early in the second quarter, with both Anthony Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander taking a breather, Shannon seized the opportunity. He scored a quick “and-1” on a floater, followed by a pull-up jumper and a layup, accumulating nine points in a mere four minutes and increasing Minnesota's lead to 46-20.
After the game, Shannon reflected on his journey with the Timberwolves, stating, “I got drafted to a good team. I knew I was going to have to work my butt off to get in the rotation, or even to get minutes. When my time comes, it comes.” His determination and readiness to make an impact were evident in his performance, as he shot 5-for-8 from the field, finishing with a bench-high 15 points.
With this decisive win, the Minnesota Timberwolves have gained momentum in the series and will look to build on Shannon's energetic performance as they aim for a comeback. As they prepare for the next game, the team will rely on the depth of their bench and the continued contributions of players like Terrence Shannon Jr. to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder effectively.
