{"id":646380,"date":"2026-05-03T06:03:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T06:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/646380\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T06:03:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T06:03:14","slug":"former-illinois-stars-fuel-minnesota-timberwolves-push-to-nba-playoffs-second-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/646380\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Illinois Stars Fuel Minnesota Timberwolves’ Push to NBA Playoffs Second Round"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever since Brad Underwood took over at Illinois, the city of Champaign has quickly turned into an NBA-talent hotbed. The Illini have produced a handful of next-level players<\/a> over the past few seasons. And it\u2019s not just quantity \u2013 it\u2019s quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And by mere chance, two Illinois alums \u2013 Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. \u2013 have wound up showing it together in the league with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Unfortunately, though, with Dosunmu and Shannon being fairly similar players, the pair had been cannibalizing each other\u2019s minutes.<\/p>\n

But after star guard Anthony Edwards was injured, both Dosunmu and Shannon found themselves thrust into the limelight \u2013 especially Dosunmu. After getting traded to Minnesota from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline in February<\/a>, Dosunmu instantly hit his stride. But in the playoffs, he reached a new level.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ayo Dosunmu goes off for Minnesota vs. Denver Nuggets\"Ayo<\/p>\n

Apr 7, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) looks on in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

In Game 3, Dosunmu burst onto the scene, scoring 25 points on a sterling 10-for-15 effort from the field while dishing out nine assists to spark the Timberwolves to a win, giving them a 2-1 series lead.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That was just a taste of what was to come. In the next contest, Dosunmu exploded. He came off the bench and poured in 43 points, missing just four shots the entire game (13-for-17 from the field and a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line). His performance pushed Minnesota to another victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n

AYO DOSUNMU GIVES WOLVES 3-1 LEAD WITH NIGHT FOR THE AGES.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd25 43 PTS, most he’s scored in NBA
\ud83d\udd25 13-17 FGM, 5-5 3PM, 12-12 FTM
\ud83d\udd25 68 PTS in Games 3+4<\/p>\n

Dosunmu is the first player since Steph Curry in 2016 to score 40+ off the bench in the NBA Playoffs presented by @Google<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/myApdo2aRg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Game 5 saw Dosunmu earn a start, but his 18 points, three rebounds and four assists weren\u2019t enough to lead the Timberwolves to another win, even with the help of Shannon, who went for 15 points in 14 minutes.<\/p>\n

But a nagging calf injury forced Dosunmu to the sideline for another potential closeout contest in Game 6 \u2013 which meant one thing: Shannon needed to step up.<\/p>\n

Terrence Shannon Jr. helps Minnesota close out Denver Nuggets\"Terrence<\/p>\n

Apr 8, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) drives around Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) during the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Despite playing just 21 total minutes in the series heading into Game 6, Shannon earned his first career playoff start on Thursday. He nearly doubled his previous burn with 38 minutes in Game 6 \u2013 and he wasted none of them. Shannon, an ultra-athletic wing, finished with 24 points and six rebounds as the Timberwolves punched their ticket to the second round (where they will face San Antonio Spurs).<\/p>\n

He shot just 1-for-7 from deep but dominated at the rack, using his lightning-quick first step and vertical explosion to get to the basket and finish \u2013 often through contact. (He went 5-for-5 from the free-throw line as an added bonus.)<\/p>\n

TERRENCE SHANNON JR. IN THE CLUTCH \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

TUNE IN TO ESPN NOW FOR GAME 6 FINISH BETWEEN NUGGETS-WOLVES \ud83c\udf7f pic.twitter.com\/2qV9yCE51k<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Shannon watched crunch time \u2013 all 48 minutes, in fact \u2013 from the bench in the first few games of the series. But in the closeout win, Shannon was one of the Timberwolves\u2019 go-to options down the stretch.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We all put the work in so [a win] is what we expect.”<\/p>\n

Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. join @Sedano<\/a> after advancing past the Denver Nuggets \ud83d\ude24 pic.twitter.com\/fJJBAqZMAf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN (@espn) May 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cJust be ready when my name [is] called,\u201d Shannon said of his mindset in a postgame interview with ESPN. \u201cAnd got to perform.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been ready since he got in the league,\u201d said teammate Jaden McDaniels.<\/p>\n

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