In essence, the Minnesota Timberwolves reserves defeated the Miami Heat second-stringers 125-124 on Saturday.
It was the third preseason outing for both teams, and their head coaches chose to give players competing for roles and roster spots the stage.
Minnesota head coach Chris Finch will be pleased with what he saw from his depth, particularly on offense, as the Wolves shot 41 percent from three (14-for-34) en route to the win.
Here are three players whose chances of securing regular-season rotation minutes were not harmed:
Joan Beringer
The 6-foot-11 big man has arguably been the Timberwolves' preseason revelation.
Still just 19, Beringer appears to have taken a massive leap heading into his second NBA campaign.
The Frenchman — a former No. 17 overall Draft pick (2025) — held down the fort as the Wolves' starting center against the Heat, scoring 10 points and collecting seven rebounds in 24 minutes.
Beringer shot 5-for-6 from the field and recorded four of Minnesota's seven blocks in a game where neither defense was the talking point. He added one assist and one steal.
The Timberwolves are excited about his defensive potential and his versatile offensive skill set at his size. At the midpoint of preseason, he appears to have cemented the backup center role behind Rudy Gobert, and he still has plenty of room to develop.
Beringer has scored in double figures twice and is averaging 7.3 rebounds over the first three games. He boasted the team's second-highest plus-minus of +16 against the Heat.
Bones Hyland
Hyland cut a forgotten figure in the first two preseason games.
He played no more than 11 minutes (second game vs. Indiana) before starting (21 minutes) against the Heat. His 10 points against the Pacers certainly helped earn him the opportunity, and he made good use of it.
Hyland led all scorers with 23 points on 6-for-9 shooting, including a red-hot 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. He added four rebounds, four assists, and three steals — convincingly throwing his name back into the hat for the backup point guard job.
The dynamic sixth-year guard flashed what he's capable of just as it looked like he was losing the minutes-in-rotation race to Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark.
Shannon Jr. also impressed against the Heat, scoring 19 points (8-for-16 FG, 3-for-6 3PT) with six rebounds and four assists.
The duo now looks in good stead behind the starting backcourt of Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, especially with Donte DiVincenzo still recovering from an Achilles tear.
Zyon Pullin
Signed to a two-way deal with the team, Pullin is making a strong impression on the Timberwolves as the regular season looms.
An undrafted guard out of Florida (2024), Pullin played a team-high 28 minutes against the Heat, dropping 22 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
The 25-year-old has been extremely efficient in preseason, making shots at a 73.6 percent clip — taking full advantage of the opportunities given to him.
A young player's development is never linear, and after spending his first two years in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, Pullin is finally starting to assert himself as a league-caliber player with the Timberwolves.