NBA Player News

The Timberwolves announced Monday that Shannon (foot) has been cleared for full-contact, 5-on-5 basketball activities and will be assigned to the G League's Iowa Wolves this week.

Shannon hasn't made an appearance for the Timberwolves since Dec. 25 due to a left foot abductor hallucis strain, but he's been steadily progressing and appears to be nearing the finish line in his recovery. He's scheduled to play in a game for Iowa on Tuesday against the Austin Spurs, and if all goes well, he'll rejoin the Timberwolves and return to action following the All-Star break.

Phillips (wrist) played the final 4:13 of Sunday's 115-96 loss to the Clippers, finishing with two points (1-1 FG).

Before the Timberwolves acquired him from the Bulls on Thursday, Phillips had missed a game due to a right wrist sprain, but he made enough progress in his recovery from his injury over the weekend to get the green light to make his Minnesota debut Sunday. Phillips didn't see the court until the Clippers had the win well in hand, and the 22-year-old forward seems likely to find himself outside of the rotation while Minnesota has all of its key contributors available.

McDaniels notched two points (1-4 FG), two rebounds and one steal over 28 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 loss to the Clippers.

McDaniels has been remarkably quiet in two straight appearances, as he's totaled eight points, three rebounds and two assists in 50 minutes in back-to-back losses for Minnesota. Sunday also marked just the second time the sharpshooter has failed to attempt a shot from beyond the arc. McDaniels has been one of the league's hottest shooters from distance so far this season, so it seems only a matter of time before he gets back on track.

The Hornets waived Branham on Monday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

After being traded from Washington to Dallas on Wednesday, Branham was sent to Charlotte on Thursday, but the Hornets had no intention of keeping him. Branham is now free to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Reid accumulated eight points (4-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt), nine rebounds, three assists and one steal across 24 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 loss to the Clippers.

Reid led the Timberwolves in rebounds and nearly recorded his first double-double since Jan. 11. However, it's been a slow start to February offensively for the 26-year-old, who is averaging 10.5 points on 39.5 percent shooting from the field in his first four appearances of the month.

Knecht practiced Sunday in the G League with the South Bay Lakers before being recalled prior to Los Angeles' game Monday versus the Thunder, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Knecht has largely been outside of the Los Angeles rotation for the last three weeks, appearing in just eight of the team's last 13 games while playing fewer than 10 minutes on every occasion. Given his light usage of late, Knecht was likely assigned to the G League simply to get some extra practice reps in. He'll be available off the bench Monday but isn't expected to be part of the rotation.

Edwards ended Sunday's 115-96 loss to the Clippers with 23 points (7-18 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 8-10 FT), four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 35 minutes.

Edwards clearly didn't have his best stuff on the offensive end, but he managed to reach the 20-point threshold given his high volume of shot attempts. He particularly struggled from downtown and has now gone 1-for-8 from deep in two of his previous three games. Edwards' streak of 30-point showings will come to an end at four games following Sunday's performance.

The Lakers assigned Thiero (knee) to the G League's South Bay Lakers on Sunday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

According to McMenamin, Thiero took part in a full-contact practice with South Bay on Sunday, marking the rookie's first such session since he was diagnosed with a right knee MCL sprain in late December. Thiero will remain out for the Lakers' game Monday versus the Thunder and appears likely to sit out the second leg of the back-to-back set Tuesday versus the Spurs, but if he continues to practice in the G League in the coming days, he could be a candidate to play in South Bay's next game Wednesday versus the San Diego Clippers. After that, the NBA club will conclude its pre-All-Star-break schedule with a matchup Thursday versus the Mavericks.

Niederhauser posted 15 points (5-5 FG, 5-7 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one block over 17 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 115-96 win over the Timberwolves.

Niederhauser provided an unexpected scoring boost in limited opportunities by going perfect from the field. He fell one point shy of tying his best mark of the season and has now scored in double digits in two of his last three games. However, Niederhauser's minutes are expected to take a hit once Isaiah Jackson (trade pending) is ready for his team debut.

Leonard amassed 41 points (14-30 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 8-10 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and four steals in 34 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 victory over the Timberwolves.

Leonard reached the 40-point threshold for the third time in 39 appearances this season. He put together a polished shooting line, highlighted by five treys, his best performance from downtown since Jan. 14. Leonard also impressed on the defensive end by racking up four steals for the third time in his last 12 games.