Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves wrapped up the “first half” (more like 2/3) of their season with a dominant victory Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.
But while Anthony Edwards — who was questionable coming into the game — and the big boy Wolves were dominating an inferior opponent in Minneapolis, the Iowa Timberpups were in Cedar Rapids getting beat up by the Austin Spurs.
Terrence Shannon Jr. goes off in Iowa rehab game
That’s not what matters, though. Because Wednesday’s matchup between Iowa and Austin also marked Terrence Shannon Jr.’s return to play, after being sidelined for over a month with an abductor strain in his left foot.
By the time his one-game rehab stint was over, there was no doubt over TJ Shannon Jr’s health or his NBA readiness, after he used the G-League contest to knock the rust off with 36 points on 10/15 shooting and 2 assists.
Shannon Jr: 36p, 2a
Bernard: 25p, 7r, 9a
Crutcher: 18p, 3r, 7a
Zikarsky: 15p, 13r, 4b
Santos: 11p, 5r, 1a
Your Official Replay of the Game, presented by XTREAM powered by Mediacom. pic.twitter.com/SE1PwwIXoM
— Iowa Wolves (@iawolves) February 12, 2026
Iowa was a +6 in the 21 minutes Shannon Jr played. Unfortunately, he was the only Iowa Wolves player to finish with a positive +/- last night night, which is why they eventually fell 135-120.
Nonetheless, it was a great sign for Terrence Shannon Jr, who’ has struggled mightily in his sophomore season., coming out of the break shooting just 39.5% on the season (way down from 48.2% last year) — though his three-point success rate is up five percentage points from 35.5% to 40.5%.
Shannon Jr recalled by Minnesota Timberwolves
Shannon Jr. last played for the MN Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day. But after his monster rehab game in Iowa Wednesday night, Connelly and Finch jumped at getting him back on the active NBA roster before the All-Star break.
NEWS: @Timberwolves recall guard Terrence Shannon Jr from G League affiliate @iawolves.
In tonight’s game against the Austin Spurs, Shannon Jr finished with 36 points on 10-15 shooting and a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line.
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) February 12, 2026
Now, the 34-22 Wolves enter the eight-day NBA All-Star break representing the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. When the regular season resumes on February 20, the Timberwolves will have just 26 games separating them from their playoff destiny, whatever that may be.
How Finch decides to incorporate Shannon Jr. remains to be seen. Minnesota moved their other 2024 first round pic, Rob Dillingham at the trade deadline, in order to add sixth man of the year candidate Ayo Dosunmu for the stretch run.
Mentioned in this article: Terrence Shannon Jr.
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