Just one year ago, Bones Hyland found himself out of the NBA. After the Denver Nuggets took him in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft, and a promising start to his career with the Denver Nuggets, Hyland was no longer seen as a player worthy of a roster spot. Then, Tim Connelly, Hyland’s former GM in Denver,came calling near the end of last season.
It wasn’t the first time Connelly has brought a player in from his Nuggets tenure, either. Some may remember the couple of stints, albeit short ones, that PJ Dozier had with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Connelly saw something in Hyland that could help the Wolves. And his belief has been much appreciated by the fifth-year guard.
“He always has my back, that’s a guy I’m really appreciative of,” Hylandsaid. “Every time I see Tim, there’s always a big hug.”
Now, that belief has trickled down to the coaching staff.
Hyland started the season out of the rotation. He was a player on a minimum contract, not expected to feature much with Minnesota’s options at point guard. But the struggles at the position opened up a pathway for Hyland.
When given opportunities, Hyland tried to play like a traditional point guard, primarily passing the ball. However, it meant he wasn’t playing aggressively.
“Coaches kinda hopped on my ass a little bit,” Hylandsaid.
As the season progressed, that began to change. Hyland earned more minutes and surpassed former Wolves guard Rob Dillingham, whom they had traded up for to take eighth overall in 2024, on the depth chart.
Bones Hyland was offering Minnesota a much-needed spark off the bench when his number was called.
“As the season’s gone on,” Hylandsaid, “the coaches are a lot more comfortable with me.”
The Wolves have also been without Mike Conley, who they traded to the Chicago Bulls last Wednesday. Conley isset to return to Minnesota soon after the Bulls traded him to the Charlotte Hornets, who then waived him. Conley can sign with the Wolves after being traded twice due to theBogut rule.
As the roster experienced some change, Hyland was trusted to take on some of the minutes opened up from Conley’s absence. And without a doubt, he’s taken full advantage of the opportunity.
Hyland scored 20 points in Minnesota’s last two games against the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans. His aggressiveness was on full display, giving Minnesota a spark when it was needed the most.
In Minnesota, Hyland has become less erratic and more confident. The 28-year-old is playing with a lot of confidence right now.
Most importantly, Hyland is staying true to himself, and it’s paying off.
So, how will Hyland’s minutes be affected by Ayo Dosunmu’s arrival and the return of a trusted figure in Conley?
Dosunmu made his Wolves debut in Sunday’s 115-96 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers. He played 25 minutes and scored 11 points at 36% efficiency.
Bones Hyland played 19 minutes – he had been averaging 28 minutes per game in his two prior outings. He finished the Clippers game with 10 points on 50% efficiency.
Hyland’s minutes shouldn’t experience much more of a decrease once Conley is back. He’s earned his opportunity, and until proven otherwise, should remain an integral part of Minnesota’s bench in need of any spark they can find.
Somewhat surprisingly, Hyland is also defending at a high level. Despite his smaller frame, he’s competing on every possession and taking matchups personally.
Hyland knows he’s a target for opposing offenses, but that doesn’t affect his mentality. There was a play in the Pelicans game when Hyland was guarding an incoming ball screen, and instead of accepting his fate and switching, he fought through and forced an offensive foul on Jeremiah Fears.
It wasn’t the only instance in the game where Hyland showed defensiveintensity, either.
Hyland’s competitiveness and aggression don’t just reside on the offensive side. It has also manifested in his defense.
This season, Hyland has a defensive rating of 109.1 – fifth-highest on the team. And occasionally, stats can lie. But these don’t. Hyland’s been raising his defensive intensity on the floor, and that is something Finch and his teammates love seeing from each other.
Donte DiVincenzo outstanding on-ball defense to force the turnover on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Wolves bench loves it pic.twitter.com/gLaR0Pqbyn
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) January 30, 2026
Hyland’s done everything he can to earn the organization’s trust. Not only has he solidified a role for this season, but he is also working toward finding a long-term home for the first time in his career.
“A coach who believes in you can take your game to another level,” Hylandsaid. “Especially when you don’t have it going for three or four games. They don’t think too hard about that.”
It started with Connelly; now the coaching staff has bought in. All Bones Hyland needed was a chance, and he’s making the most of this one in Minnesota.