The Timberwolves take to the court for their second Summer League game – this time agains the Nuggets. Can players like TSJ and Joan Beringer continue to build on their positive early performances.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets
Date: July 12th, 2025
Time: 9:00 PM CDT
Location: Pavilion, Las Vegas, NV
Television Coverage: NBA TV
Wolves vs. Nuggets: The Western Conference Rivalry Heads to… Summer League?
There are basketball rivalries, and then there are Basketball Rivalries. Lakers–Celtics. Cavs–Warriors. MJ vs. the entire Eastern Conference in the early ‘90s. And over the last two years, you can officially add Minnesota vs. Denver to that list.
Forget the passive-aggressive Jokic elbow. Forget Jamal Murray chucking heat packs. The Wolves and Nuggets have become the NBA’s grittiest, most unexpected blood feud. And while Saturday night’s matchup technically adds another chapter to the saga, there’s just one minor catch:
It’s Summer League. In Vegas.
No Jokic. No Jamal. No Jaden or Ant. Nope—this time, it’s Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Jaylen Clark taking on Denver’s B-team.
Still… I’m in. You’re in. Let’s break this down like it’s Game 7.
First, a Quick Recap: Wolves 98, Pelicans 91
In their Vegas opener, the Wolves looked every bit like a team playing their first game in the Summer League. They got out to a slow start, but by the second quarter things clicked—and three names stood out.
- Terrence Shannon Jr. dropped 20 points and nine assists (when did TSJ turn into Summer League Tyrese Haliburton?).
- Leonard Miller also chipped in 20 and 9 rebounds.
- And then there was Joan Beringer, who might’ve had the most eye-popping box score line of the day: 6 blocks, 8 rebounds, and at least four moments that made Wolves fans say, “Wait… is this guy actually something?”
Let’s not get carried away—it’s Summer League. But even so, there were real signs of progress for the Wolves’ youth movement.
Now onto Nuggets-Wolves: What to Watch For
1. Can TSJ Keep This Up?
Terrence Shannon Jr. looked like the best player on the floor against the Pelicans—and not just in that “I’m older than everyone and I played five years in college” kind of way. He was composed, confident, and in control. You don’t rack up 9 assists by accident. You rack them up by knowing where your teammates are and realizing your own scoring gravity.
The only concern? His three-point shot. He went 2-for-9 from deep, which… not ideal. If he’s going to sniff 15–20 minutes a night in the regular season, he has to punish defenses who sag off. Especially now that NAW is gone and the Wolves need someone to stretch the floor and defend on the wing. TSJ has all the tools—if the shot comes around, look out.
2. Rob Dillingham’s Rebound Game?
Rob’s debut was… fine. Not memorable. Not disastrous. Just fine.
He didn’t take over, didn’t implode—but he also didn’t shine. This is the guy who’s supposed to be the microwave scorer off the bench, the potential future of the point guard position post-Conley. We need more juice. More wiggle. More “oh wow” plays. And we definitely need fewer than seven turnovers.
The good news? Summer League is a perfect place to iron out the wrinkles. Let’s see if Dillingham can take better care of the ball and get his short-range game in order.
3. The Beringer Watch: Is This Real?
Joan Beringer had a block party against New Orleans—six swats and a pulse-pounding lob that brought Wolves fans to their feet. He looked like a baby giraffe with instincts, if that makes any sense.
Beringer is raw, but the tools are undeniable. Six foot ten. Great motor. Legit rim protection instincts. If he puts together another performance like Game 1, the Rudy Gobert comparisons are going to come flying in. Which is very promising.
4. Can Leonard Miller Actually Crack the Rotation?
Look, we all want Leonard Miller to work out. He was a G-League standout, and he clearly has the tools. But here’s the problem: he’s never quite figured out how to impact winning. He went for 20 points in the opener… and finished with a minus-5. In Summer League.
If Miller wants to avoid becoming the next Josh Minott, he has to show more. More defense. More awareness. More winning plays. Otherwise, it’s back to the end of the bench with a towel and a head nod.
Final Thought:
Yes, Wolves–Nuggets in Summer League is like watching a reboot of your favorite movie with none of the original actors. But it still matters. These are the next guys up. The depth pieces. The minimum contracts who become playoff X-factors in two years.
The Wolves have a loaded top five. They’ve got real title aspirations. But in today’s cap landscape—second aprons, repeater taxes, and contracts that cost more than a private island—you need young guys who can play.
And that’s what Vegas is for. Not the buffets. Not the 110-degree heat. It’s for hope.
Hope that Terrence Shannon Jr. is more than just a slasher.
Hope that Beringer isn’t just a project.
Hope that Dillingham figures it out.
It might not be Jokic vs. Ant. But for a summer Saturday night, it’s not a bad consolation prize.
Let’s hoop.