3 Signs Of Growth As Joan Beringer Starts Against Spurs

Oct 31, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Joan Beringer (19) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Jimmy VikWith Rudy Gobert out with back spasms, Joan Beringer started for the Timberwolves against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Saturday. Beringer’s start was hardly an unqualified success, as Wembanyama went off for 43 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and six blocks, and the Spurs won 121-111. But there were still a few positive signs from Beringer’s start.Beringer Played 34 Minutes Without Fouling OutOct 31, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Joan Beringer (19) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) look over in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesFoul trouble has dogged Beringer throughout his young career. He averaged 5.4 fouls per 36 minutes last year when he played just 7.9 minutes per game. In Beringer’s start against the Spurs, he pretty much hit that average, committing five fouls in 34 minutes. But the key context is that he was facing Wembanyama.Wemby is already one of the best skilled and talented big men in NBA history, and it would have been easy for Beringer to foul out while playing extended minutes against him. But Beringer largely avoided biting on Wembanyama’s head fakes and committing silly fouls. That’s a great sign for Beringer’s ability to stay in games against lesser opponents.Beringer Was Efficient OffensivelyBeringer smartly declined to challenge Wembanyama directly very often when he had the ball. He picked his spots offensively and ended up scoring 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line. Not an eye-popping scoring line by any means, but impressive given the opponent.It was also a welcome change for the Timberwolves because Beringer started in place of Gobert, who had recently struggled through a three-game stretch where he missed 15 shots in a row.Gobert has struggled to catch passes and make shots this year, including free throws (he’s shooting just 41.2% from the field and 48.3% from the line). Beringer, who is shooting a robust 60.6% from the field and a respectable 71.4% from the line, showed that he can score around the rim with either hand and caught and dunked a high-flying alley-oop over Wembanyama on a pass from Ayo Dosunmu.Scoring remains the rawest part of his game, but it’s coming along. The Timberwolves need more offense because of Anthony Edwards’ injury, and Monday’s performance was the type that could someday result in more Beringer starts even after Gobert gets healthy.Beringer Kept His ComposureMonday’s game was the type that could have easily been short-circuited by frustration, particularly for a youngster like Beringer, who won’t turn 20 until Nov. 11. There were plenty of times when he played good defense only to watch Wembanyama make a tough shot or a deep three-pointer, or when he seemed to be in good rebounding position only to lose a board to the seven-foot-four Wemby.But Beringer was unflappable. Every time Wembanyama made a shot over him or got a questionable call against him, Beringer just moved on to the next play. Aside from a grimace now and then, you would never have known that the Spurs were up and Wemby was having a monster game. In fact, it was his mild-mannered teammate Trey Lyles who got a rare technical foul when he felt that Wembanyama had pushed him as the two jostled for a rebound under the basket.Emotionally, Beringer seems mature beyond his years.The Last WordThe Timberwolves are in a perilous spot. They’re missing Edwards for two months; there’s no timeline yet for Gobert’s return; and the offensively acclimated LaMelo Ball is still trying to figure out how to play Wolves-style defense without fouling (he fouled out in just 20 minutes Saturday). There are probably more Beringer starts on the horizon, and Minnesota will need him to grow up fast if they’re going to stay close to the Western Conference’s leaders until Edwards comes back. Saturday’s performance against Wemby and the Spurs was a step in the right direction.Featured Image: Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesMore NBA News:Timberwolves Must Prove They Are More Than Anthony EdwardsGood Vibes: Timberwolves’ Chemistry Key to 3-0 StartAnthony Davis Is Earning Every Bit Of His Next Contract, In Or Out Of D.C