Terrence Shannon Jr.'s Injury Clouds His NBA Comeback Hopes

After 24 games out with a foot strain, the Timberwolves guard returns to the G League aiming to regain form.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Terrence Shannon Jr., a second-year guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has missed 24 consecutive games due to a left foot abductor hallucis strain. The injury has significantly stalled his NBA momentum and delayed his expected development. Shannon Jr. recently returned to competitive action in the G League with the Iowa Wolves, but his mixed results in his first game back raise questions about his ability to quickly reestablish his prior impact.

Why it matters

As the 27th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Shannon Jr. had previously shown he could dominate G League competition. However, his modest production before the injury and the Timberwolves' recent acquisition of guard Ayo Dosunmu further complicate Shannon Jr.'s chances of securing meaningful playing time when he returns to Minnesota. His rehabilitation progress and performances in the G League are vital to restoring confidence among Timberwolves coaches and management.

The details

In his first game back after about six and a half weeks away, Shannon Jr. scored 11 points, grabbed three rebounds, and dished out six assists, but also committed four turnovers. His shooting efficiency was underwhelming, going 4-for-11 from the floor, 1-for-5 beyond the arc, and 1-for-3 at the free-throw line. Given that this was his first match in over a month, and he played only limited minutes, expectations for a seamless return were tempered.

  • Terrence Shannon Jr. has now missed 24 consecutive games since Christmas Day.
  • On Tuesday, the Iowa Wolves faced the Austin Spurs, with Shannon Jr. starting and playing 20 minutes.

The players

Terrence Shannon Jr.

A 25-year-old second-year guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who was the 27th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Chris Finch

The head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who has consistently given Shannon Jr. opportunities in games he was available for this season.

Ayo Dosunmu

A guard recently acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves, further complicating Shannon Jr.'s chances of securing meaningful playing time upon his return.

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What’s next

Terrence Shannon Jr.'s rehabilitation progress and performances in upcoming G League games, including a potential second matchup against Austin, will be critical in determining whether he can quickly reestablish his prior impact and regain a reliable rotational spot with the Timberwolves.

The takeaway

Terrence Shannon Jr.'s prolonged absence due to injury has cast doubt on his ability to return quickly to the form expected from a promising young guard. How he handles this challenging phase will influence his long-term standing within Minnesota's roster and potentially his broader career trajectory.