In game one against the San Antonio Spurs, Bones Hyland, a well-remembered former LA Clipper, played just 12 minutes off Chris Finch’s bench. This is already a relatively low count to begin with, and because he easily had his worst performance of the postseason thus far, Hyland could soon be benched until further notice.
In fact, Hyland was the only player on the Timberwolves who stepped on the court but didn’t score; he logged zero points, two assists, and one rebound, shooting 0-6 from the field.
For a score-first, undersized guard, these numbers give off a high level of concern. Hyland simply cannot be having these types of nights, and in the event it happens again, that could be one too many, leading Finch to call someone else’s number.
There is minimal room for error, and Hyland may be forced to understand that it is in the team's best interest to leave him behind.
Bones Hyland will struggle to perform against the San Antonio Spurs
In round one, Bones Hyland was nothing short of rock solid. He was an important contributor through many aspects, and showed up to hoop with everything on the line on several occasions, for example, in game two with 13 points, then in game five with 15.
However, the San Antonio Spurs play a completely different style than the Denver Nuggets, and may employ a scheme that makes it tough for a guy like Hyland to really have an impact.
How so? Well, for starters, the Spurs roster the best defender in basketball, Victor Wembanyama. He, alone, challenges opponents to step outside of their comfort zone and attempt to get buckets at tough angles, which for someone standing at six-foot-one, is the next thing to impossible.
This explains the 12(!!!) blocks he had in just the first game. That number is more than double what the Timberwolves recorded.
Along with Wembanyama, though, are gritty, high-IQ, defensive playmakers like Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, and a few others who did not play (Carter Bryant).
These guys put together make it seamless for head coach Mitch Johnson to shut down his opponents, particularly those with massive flaws.
So, unless Hyland picks it up in the scoring department, elevates his playmaking to an other-worldly level, and is not seen as a liability whatsoever, Chris Finch will likely have him on the sidelines, the same way Tyronn Lue once did.
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