The Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans kicked off the highly anticipated NBA 2K26 Summer League on Thursday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Timberwolves showcased a roster featuring a blend of Summer League veterans, their two newly drafted players from the 2025 NBA Draft, and several hopefuls eager to secure a spot on an NBA team.
Following the draft last month, Timberwolves General Manager Matt Lloyd highlighted the team's promising future, stating, “If you look at some of the younger guys, we almost have one guy at every single position now.” This sentiment was evident as the Wolves took to the court, ultimately winning the game against the Pelicans with a score of 98-91. The victory was marked by a strong performance in the second quarter, where the Wolves took the lead and maintained it throughout the game.
The game featured several standout plays and performances from the Timberwolves, with some players shining brightly while others struggled under the Las Vegas lights. One of the most impressive players was Joan Beringer, who made an immediate impact with his defensive prowess. Right from the opening play, Beringer's defensive skills were evident as he blocked New Orleans's first two shots, showcasing his ability to read the game and react swiftly.
Beringer, the Timberwolves' first-round draft pick, finished the game with an impressive stat line, including six blocks, which demonstrated his quickness and length. Notably, he committed only two fouls throughout the game—a remarkable feat for a young defensive-minded big man. His ability to deter opponents from the paint without drawing fouls bodes well for his future in the league.
Offensively, Beringer also made his presence felt. He scored 11 points on 5-6 shooting, pulled down eight rebounds, recorded one assist, and added two steals. His first basket came from a floater, and he later caught a lob for a dunk, further solidifying his strong start in the Summer League.
Another player who stood out was Terrence Shannon Jr.. Observing his performance, it was clear that he may have outgrown the Summer League competition. Shannon dominated the game, scoring 20 points and providing nine assists—both team-highs. His highlight reel moment came late in the fourth quarter when he executed a coast-to-coast drive, finishing with a powerful dunk that helped cement the win for the Wolves.
With the departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, there is a significant opportunity for another guard/wing to step up in the Timberwolves' rotation. Shannon's impressive play, particularly after a strong showing during last year’s Western Conference Finals, indicates he is well-prepared to seize this opportunity and secure a rotation spot next season.
The only slightly concerning performance of the game came from Rob Dillingham, who scored 15 points but struggled with his shooting, finishing 4-14 from the field and 1-8 from inside the arc. He also recorded seven turnovers during the game. Although the turnovers were notable, they stemmed largely from attempts to pass to teammates who weren’t in the right positions, which is likely to improve as the season progresses.
However, Dillingham's ability to dish out six assists and connect on three of his six 3-point attempts, including a memorable and-1 pull-up shot coming off a Beringer screen, showcased his potential. With 38-year-old Mike Conley being the only other true point guard on the roster, the Timberwolves appear to have confidence in Dillingham’s ability to step into a more significant role as Conley's minutes naturally decrease.
While one Summer League performance should always be taken with a grain of salt, fans and analysts alike are hopeful that Dillingham will refine his game, particularly in minimizing turnovers and improving his scoring ability in the paint in the upcoming games.
The Timberwolves are set to continue their Summer League campaign, with their next game scheduled for late Saturday night against the Denver Nuggets at 9:00 PM CT. Fans can catch the action live on NBA TV, as the Timberwolves look to build on their strong opening performance and further showcase their young talent.
