Bones Hyland is experiencing a tumultuous journey in his NBA career as he begins his fifth season, having already played for three different teams. This season, he was brought back to the Minnesota Timberwolves after signing a two-way deal last year, a move that reflects his ongoing struggle to establish stability in the league. Notably, the Atlanta Hawks waived him shortly after acquiring him, and both the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers seemed to lose confidence in his abilities, leading to his trades.
Despite these challenges, Hyland has had moments that showcased his scoring capabilities. On January 13, he delivered a standout performance against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 23 points in just 21 minutes of play, marking a significant contribution from a bench player—something the Timberwolves had been eagerly looking for. However, since that impressive outing, the Timberwolves have faced four consecutive losses, during which Hyland has managed to score only 12 points combined, with seven of those points coming in one game.
This inconsistency continues to be an issue for the Timberwolves, especially as they look towards the playoffs. Over the past 22 games, Hyland has been hit or miss, scoring in double figures on nine occasions but also notching eight games where he scored four points or fewer. His performance variability underscores a larger concern for the Timberwolves: the need to strengthen their bench as they approach the trade deadline on February 5.
Head coach Chris Finch has been cautious with Hyland’s playing time, as evidenced by his limited minutes in the recent game against the Utah Jazz. As the Timberwolves evaluate their playoff readiness, consistency in scoring will be crucial. The team is actively exploring potential trades to enhance their bench, which may further impact Hyland’s role moving forward.
For now, the Timberwolves will continue to rely on Hyland as their second-most dependable reserve scorer behind Naz Reid, highlighting the pressing need for effective additional scoring options as they aim to cultivate a more formidable playoff roster. As the team navigates these challenges, there remains hope that Hyland can harness his talents and contribute more consistently to the Minnesota lineup.