Timberwolves First Round Pick Cleared for Return

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been a mixed bag to start the season.

Facing the Phoenix Suns in NBA Cup action last time out, Anthony Edwards’ 40-burger was wiped out by a pair of missed free throws and a poorly decided inbounds pass that wound up costing the Wolves a victory that seemed all but certain, even seconds before it wasn’t.

Now 10-6, there’s a lot that this team still has to figure out if it wants to make another deep playoff run in a stacked Western Conference. 2024 first round pick Terrence Shannon Jr. was expected to be a key rotational player entering the season, but he has been sidelined for the past three games with a bone bruise in his left foot.

Injured Terrence Shannon Jr cleared to play

With the Timberwolves in Sacramento Monday night against a bad Sacramento Kings team, however, the former Illinois Fighting Illini standout has now been cleared for action, and will go into the game with a “questionable” injury designation.

Terrence Shannon Jr. has been cleared for full-contact and will be listed as questionable for Monday's game against Sacramento.

Shannon has been out for the last three weeks with a bone bruise in his left foot.

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) November 24, 2025

Terrence Shannon Jr. was last active on November 3 against the Brooklyn Nets. In seven games this season he has seen his minutes per game jump from 10.6 in 2024-25 to 16.4.

We haven’t seen the production come along with his increased time on the court, however, as the 25-year-old is averaging just 3.9 points per game on 32.1% shooting.

Minnesota opted against grabbing a playmaking point guard to pair with Mike Conley this offseason, in large part due to their budget constraints, hanging just below the second apron.

Minnesota Timberwolves have a lot to figure out still this season

Instead, Donte DiVincenzo joined the starting lineup as the on-paper point guard, while Anthony Edwards has taken on most of the ball-handling duties. It remains to be seen if Ant at the point will be sustainable, or if president of basketball operations Tim Connelly will get itchy before the trade deadline.

Through 16 games this season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have feasted on inferior competition, while they’ve struggled against better teams.

Hopefully, getting Terrence Shannon Jr. back will help steady that ship, but he will have to play better than he did prior to injury, in order to have a positive effect on the rotation. We know the kid has it in him, because we’ve seen it.

Terrance Shannon Jr. ELEVATES for the slam 💥pic.twitter.com/ESgYmBJfV3

— Timberwolves Nation (@TWolvesNationCP) November 4, 2025

The Minnesota Timberwolves made two first round picks last season, jumping up to take Rob Dillingham with the No. 8 overall pick, before snagging Shannon Jr at No. 27. So far, Dillingham looks like a bust, but he is young (20 years old).

If Connelly’s roster-building plan is going to work, as currently laid out, both Dilly and Shannon Jr. will have to look more like the first round draft picks they were selected to be. Otherwise, changes will need to be made. If not before the 2025-26 trade deadline, then likely during the offseason.