If you wanted to watch the Minnesota Timberwolves’ first round pick Joan Beringer play NBA competition, you got that for a small portion of this game. That’s about all I can report.
Former NBA journeyman Frank Kaminsky, a starting member of the Guangzhou Loong-Lions and coming off of a team-leading 22 point game against the San Antonio Spurs, posed a solid matchup for Beringer on a floor full of matchups that otherwise did not do so for other members of the Wolves (Victor Oladipo also plays for the Loong-Lions, and saw a lot of Terrence Shannon Jr.).
For whatever all of the above is worth, early returns on the matchup proved to be positive for the Wolves. Beringer made his impact all over the floor. In the first five minutes, the French rookie posted 4 points, 1 block, and an offensive rebound. At half, he was up to 6 points to pair with 5 rebounds and a team-high +23.
An unassuming point total with a high plus-minus. Remind you of anyone?
Monday also provided the opportunity for second year point guard Rob Dillingham to right the ship from a rollercoaster of a preseason against an inferior opponent. Throughout the preseason, the juggling of Dillingham and Bones Hyland for the supplemental guard role seemed ambiguous with little separation between the two (solely based on on-court performance).
If Monday night was any sort of a finger-to-the-wind indicator, Dillingham surely planted his flag.
Aggressive all game, Dillingham did an excellent job of passing and moving off of the ball, getting open, repositioning himself, and was fantastic in initiating and navigating pick and rolls. He finished with 27 points and 9 assists on 10-14 shooting.
The goal tonight was to look like he DIDN’T belong, and he accomplished that.
Hyland ended the night with scoreless; he was 0-5 from the field, and the lone member of the starting five that didn’t get on the board. While he was likely not going to be ahead of Dillingham either way on the guard depth chart, it’s fair to say that Monday likely cemented that (even if it was an inconsequential 60-point win).
Oladipo and Kamisky were the only two members of the starting five for Gunagzhou that finished in double digits; Kaminsky with 10 and Oladipo with 14.
While not much else notably went on on the floor, the Wolves still had the pieces to run some base offensive things that they’ll likely want to get to this season, whether it was a lead guard in Dillingham or Shannon initiating the action, using Beringer for gravity, and working options off of it. The usage of the spread pick and roll was notable, effective, and can serve as a lethal preview of what could be expected when the regular season tips off.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 13: Rob Dillingham #4 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket during the game against the Guangzhou Loong Lions on October 13, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 13: Rob Dillingham #4 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket during the game against the Guangzhou Loong Lions on October 13, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
Spread Pick and Roll Success
It was everywhere; a blueprint of what the offense can look like all season when the ball is moving and gravity is generated.
From the first possessions on the first quarter, the Wolves pick and rolled Guangzhou to death. But the optionality that was created out of each screen by Joan Beringer made a harmonious pair with a capable guard in Dillingham.
Not to oversimplify, but if a big man can create gravity, and their ball handler can make the right read with a couple additional passes, a basic spread pick and roll in a read and react offense could truly vault the Wolves into being an elite offensive team. It’s clear that getting to it is a point of emphasis, and a couple things to look out for need to happen in order for this to unlock a new level to the Wolves offense:
1.) The ball handler needs to make the right read. Anthony Edwards will have it in his hands plenty this year, and if he gets off the ball early more often, it creates a harder situation for defenses to react to (this goes for another assumed ball handler in Julius Randle as well).
2.) Rudy Gobert needs to generate more gravity than jut being able to dunk. If can can hit lightly contested shots close to the basket, or even be able to generate a push shot, this leaves at minimum, a lightly contested three ball for someone in the corner.
“I thought we did a really good job of making the right play…and were able to make the next pass,” Head Coach Chris Finch said afterward.
Finch often alludes to “making the right play”. I wouldn’t advise someone to take a shot everytime he does. But the reason for it is that it often doesn’t happen, and it can cause the offense to implode. It will never look as simple as it did on Monday night…
But it sure could look close.