With Anthony Edwards running on empty, the Wolves' bench stepped on the gas

To begin with, Terrence Shannon Jr. has been a breath of fresh air in Minneapolis this postseason. Shannon isn't always a huge numbers guy, but his energy on both ends of the floor has allowed the Wolves to seize or maintain momentum in this series.

How could Shannon be second only to Julius Randle on the plus/minus column in their Game 4 victory? Never mind that he had just eight points on 3-for-12 FG shooting: The sophomore guard was flying all over the place, scrambling to cover the Spurs' ball-handlers and leaping out of bounds to save possessions.

While Shannon's youthful energy was infectious, his veteran teammates on the Wolves bench had plenty of playoff savvy. Did you see that Naz Reid no-look special?

On a good number of NBA teams, Reid would be a starter all year long. But there's a reason the former Sixth Man of the Year continues to thrive as the next man up when either Randle or Rudy Gobert takes a seat. On Sunday, Reid took full advantage of VIctor Wembanyama's early ejection, making excellent passes from the low post and taking the 7-foot-1 Luke Kornet to school with some one-on-one moves.

And then, there's Mike Conley Jr., the court general that Edwards lobbied for around the time of the trade deadline. Conley's 2025-26 season is more convoluted than it should have been (traded by Minnesota, dealt by Chicago, waived by Charlotte, re-signed by Minnesota), but in his 13th career playoff stint, he gives the Wolves another steady ball handler.

Where would the Wolves have been if it weren't for Shannon's enthusiasm, Reid's versatility, and Conley's IQ? Neither Randle nor Jaden McDaniels had an explosive game, and Edwards' brilliance could only take the Wolves so far. But no matter: Three impeccable reserves proved that Minnesota has a lot left in the tank.