Terrence Shannon Jr. Responded Perfectly To Head Coach Chris Finch’s Challenge

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been battered with injuries, losing star Anthony Edwards and key role player Donte DiVincenzo in their series against the Denver Nuggets. Despite these injuries, the Timberwolves still managed to win their first-round matchup in six games.

It was a massive team effort from the Timberwolves, especially with Ayo Dosunmu also being out for game six, requiring role players to step up, and head coach Chris Finch challenged his second-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr. before game six.

Shannon had 15 points in 14 minutes in game five, but Finch said that his defense needed to be better.

“It starts with gotta be ready, he’s gotta be engaged, he’s got to be fully committed to that side of the ball… the only way I can clean him up is to sit him on the bench, right? That’s the only way I can clean it up. He knows what we need from him right now. So he’s got to be ready, and he’s got to be ready to execute defensively, and there’s no reason he shouldn’t be a good defender with his body type and athleticism,” Finch said following game five.

With Dosunmu out, Shannon was elevated into the starting lineup as they closed out the series on their home court. Shannon responded to his coach’s criticism by having a stellar game six, totaling 24 points and being more engaged defensively in the 110-98 victory.

Following the game six victory, Finch admitted that they have been using Shannon wrong all season, saying, “We’ve learned, with [Shannon], he’s gotta have the ball in his hands. Silly me, we played him out of the corner most of the season, but he’s way better with the ball in his hands at the top of the floor.”

Better late than never for the Timberwolves, as they now prepare to go into battle shorthanded for a second-round matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.