Arguably one of the biggest questions heading into the Minnesota Timberwolves season was whether Terrence Shannon Jr. (and Jaylen Clark) would be enough to fill the void left by Nickeil Alexander-Walker. One game played and Shannon is looking even better than expected. While overacting in one game is foolish, I don’t think it’s an overreaction to say that Shannon is already proving to be an ideal replacement for NAW.
In 25 minutes of play, Shannon recorded 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Wolves defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 118-114, and Shannon played a key role in this victory.
Sure, these may not seem like All-Star numbers, but Shannon was undoubtedly impressive and made a crucial all-around impact. Shannon even closed out the game for Minnesota, proving how much confidence Chris Finch has in the second-year wing. Likewise, his 25 minutes ranked fifth on the team.
Shannon’s overall impact was reminiscent of NAW, and his stellar performance should make Wolves fans feel great about the 25-year-old. I was always pretty high about Shannon, but my confidence is reaching new levels.
Terrence Shannon Jr. scored and passed highlights in his season debut
Shannon scored 10 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds as he finished the game for the Wolves pic.twitter.com/03mCfQS3Fi
— Eamon Cassels (@EamonCassels) October 23, 2025
Shannon is a gifted goalscorer
It has always been clear that TSJ can score. The 6-foot-1 wing averaged a ridiculous 23 points per game during his final season at Illinois. Shannon has a rare blend of size and speed, making him a ruthless finisher. Plus, he’s a gifted, difficult shot maker. During Wednesday’s game, Shannon hit both of his threes. Spot-up shooting was a key part of Alexander-Walker’s impact.
Shannon’s ability to push the pace is a skill set that was always clear would benefit the Wolves, and was on display in the Wolves’ opening game.
While Shannon played limited minutes in his rookie season, he put up 35 points after being called up in the Western Conference finals. He also averaged 14.7 points per 100 possessions last year.
Shannon offers so much more beyond scoring
Nevertheless, it was fair to wonder whether Shannon was willing to take on some of the playing duties left behind by Alexander-Walker. He averaged just 1.9 assists against 1.8 turnovers in college. But so far he has answered the call.
During Wednesday’s game, Shannon produced some great results, especially on drive-and-kick plays. Additionally, he started the offense at several points during the game. Shannon’s decision making as a playmaker and goalscorer really stood out to me.
Another part of NAW’s role that people wondered if Shannon could replicate was his defense. However, you guessed it, he shut down these concerns as well.
Shannon’s versatility and energy were clear positives in Wednesday’s match. He was disruptive off the ball and constantly roamed the pitch. His activity on the glass was once again positive.
While this article focuses on Shannon, I must also mention Jaylen Clark’s tenacious defense, which changed the energy of the game. The Wolves were priced to re-sign Alexander-Walker.
Regardless, Tim Connelly’s belief in Shannon and Clark dictated the Wolves’ decision not to fill this void with an outside signing. So far, Connelly looks like a genius, and it looks like Shannon will be the key to the Wolves’ success this season.
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