The Minnesota Timberwolves opened their preseason with a 135-134 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, but Bones Hyland’s energy and mindset stood out in his first extended action with the team.
Coming off the bench, Hyland spoke after the game about his approach to staying prepared when entering the game as part of the second unit. “Just seize the moment. I grew up in a tough environment, man. So just being ready, coming from where I come from, you always got to be ready. So this is nothing to me,” Hyland said.
Hyland, who re-joined Minnesota during the offseason, emphasized that his life experiences shaped his approach to basketball. “When you face challenges at a young age, being ready with basketball, that’s nothing,” he said. “I was always ready for the hard challenges of life and that translated to basketball for me.”
The 25-year-old guard also discussed his offensive versatility and how he adapts to different lineups. “If I’m out there in a lineup where I’m the primary ball handler, I can get guys in the flow of the offense,” Hyland explained. “When there’s guys out there that handle the ball, I’m a threat with shooting — can shoot from the four-point line. So I can space the floor out very well and I can play off a catch.”
Hyland appeared composed despite Minnesota’s narrow defeat, displaying confidence in his role and teammates. He acknowledged the Pacers’ physical play and said it’s something the Timberwolves need to embrace. “They picked up their physicality coming from the Eastern Conference Finals,” Hyland said. “That’s something we need to take from them — picking up our physicality and taking that challenge on.”
He also praised teammate Johnny Juzang, who led the Timberwolves with 20 points off the bench. “Just the way that he can shoot it, man. Sizzling dog,” Hyland said. “That boy can shoot that thing, man. He can really shoot — God-given talent.”
Minnesota rallied late in regulation behind Juzang’s shooting and Hyland’s pace, but Indiana’s RayJ Dennis sealed the win with a clutch three-pointer in overtime.
