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One bugaboo remains for Ayo Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr. after crucial Minnesota Timberwolves victory

The Minnesota Timberwolves needed a win on Sunday night, and two former Illinois basketball guards were able to help the cause in a big way.
ByRees Woodcock|
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May 10, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) works around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the first quarter of game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
May 10, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) works around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the first quarter of game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images | Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

It was essentially a do or die game for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.

The Timberwolves were down 2-1 in the second round series against the San Antonio Spurs. They had stolen one in San Antonio, but the Spurs got one right back in game three to retain home court.

Minnesota got a huge jumpstart early in the game when Victor Wembanyama threw a massive elbow to the face of Naz Reid, which sent him packing for the night. The Timberwolves still needed more answers, especially in the backcourt.

Along with Anthony Edwards doing his thing for 36 points, the duo of former Illinois basketball guards, Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr., did all of the little things to help get Minnesota over the finish line.

Shannon always comes into the game and is shot out of a cannon. He flies down the court, and his hustle is some of the best you will see at any level of the game. He finished with eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal. More importantly, he had the best +/- of the night at +11 when on the court.

Game four was sealed away by Dosunmu. He finished with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. With about a minute left in the game, he had a huge and-one to help extend the lead. The Spurs narrowed the margin in the waning seconds, and Dosunmu caught a deep ball, with the assist of his leg, and was able to convert both free throws to make it a two-possession game.

There is still one thing plaguing the former Illinois basketball duo that would help the Minnesota Timberwolves

While I enjoyed watching Dosunmu and Shannon help get Minnesota the win in game four, I also noticed there was something both players were having issues with.

For the most part, I loved what the two did on the court, but you can’t overlook the fact that they both went 3-of-12 from the field. So, the duo was 6-of-24, 25%, shooting.

Normally, you would look at three-point shooting, but that isn’t the case. Dosunmu and Shannon were a combined 3-of-15, 20%, from two-point range. What was the cause of the bad shooting night?

Layups.

I have never seen as many missed layups in an NBA game in my lifetime. For some reason, it seemed like every ball that Dosunmu and Shannon tried to coax into the bucket would just roll around and out.

As wild as it sounds, I think if the former Illini duo can just make layups and the little bunnies in game five, Minnesota can take a commanding 3-2 series lead.

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