Joan Beringer Makes History in Timberwolves’ Season Finale Win Over Pelicans

The Minnesota Timberwolves closed out an unpredictable regular season on a high note Sunday, securing a 132-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Target Center. While the win served as a final momentum builder before the postseason, the headline of the night was the historic emergence of 19-year-old rookie Joan Beringer.

With the Timberwolves already locked in as the sixth seed, head coach Chris Finch opted to rest the team’s core. Key players including Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Mike Conley Jr., Ayo Dosunmu, and Bones Hyland sat out the finale. Anthony Edwards also remained sidelined, listed as day-to-day with a knee injury. This opened the door for Beringer, who earned the starting nod at center and delivered a performance for the record books.

A Historic Stat Line for the French Rookie

Beringer, the 17th overall pick out of France, capitalized on 31 minutes of action to record his first career double-double. He finished the game with 24 points and 12 rebounds, but it was his defensive presence that caught the league’s attention. Beringer tallied seven blocks, asserting himself as a dominant force in the paint.

The numbers place Beringer in elite company. According to reports from The Athletic, he is only the 12th teenager in NBA history to record at least 12 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks in a single game. He becomes the youngest player in Timberwolves franchise history to achieve such a feat.

For those following Beringer’s trajectory this season, the leap was staggering. Through 40 games, the rookie had been a deep-bench option, averaging just 3.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per contest. Sunday’s outing proved that the 19-year-old possesses the size and athleticism to produce when given significant minutes.

Supporting Acts and Team Dynamics

While Beringer stole the spotlight, he wasn’t alone in driving the offense. Terrence Shannon Jr. Played a pivotal role in the close win, contributing 26 points to facilitate Minnesota hold off the Pelicans in the final stretch.

The development of Beringer has been supported in part by his compatriot, 33-year-old veteran Rudy Gobert. The experienced center has aided the rookie’s transition to the professional game, a mentorship that may prove valuable if Beringer finds his way into the playoff rotation.

Minnesota finishes the regular season with a 49-33 record. Despite the “up-and-down” nature of their campaign, the team enters the playoffs with high spirits and a reinforced sense of depth.

Playoff Outlook: The Road to Denver

The Timberwolves now shift their focus to the first round of the playoffs, where they are set to face the Denver Nuggets. The matchup presents a significant challenge, described as a “tall order” for a sixth-seeded Minnesota squad.

A primary question for Chris Finch heading into the postseason will be rotation management. While Beringer showed he can produce, coaching staffs typically tighten their rotations during the playoffs, favoring proven veterans over rookies. However, after a game where he made franchise history, Beringer has made a compelling case for seeing limited action if the Timberwolves need a defensive spark or a physical presence under the rim.

The Timberwolves will now begin preparations for their series against Denver. Fans can follow official updates and playoff scheduling via the NBA official website.

What do you suppose of Beringer’s potential? Should he notice minutes in the first round against Denver? Let us know in the comments.