Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 Midseason Takeaways

4. Shabazz Muhammad learning his role off the bench

Fourth-year forward Shabazz Muhammad is slowly learning his role off the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite playing fewer minutes this season, Muhammad is averaging 7.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per contest. His ability to produce is there. But under a new coach and system, he’s still learning his role off the bench.

Against the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 30, Muhammad scored a season-high 22 points and made four threes. Muhammad scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the team’s 119-105 upset victory over the Houston Rockets on Jan. 11. He shot 7-for-11 from the floor and 2-for-3 from three to lead all bench scorers in the game.

In his fourth season, Muhammad looks one-dimensional but he’s acted as an effective spark for a young Timberwolves team off the bench. He’s having a hell of a month in January, shooting 11-for-19 from three and 31-for-63 from the floor. He’ll need to keep it up in order for Minnesota to make a playoff push.