An arthroscopic procedure on his troubled right knee is likely to keep Minnesota Timberwolves marquee guard Anthony Edwards sidelined for as long as two months, per reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The announcement arrives as a massive shock, occurring under 24 hours following a superhero-like performance from Edwards, who poured in 47 points during Monday’s overtime defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Instead of permitting him to continue playing through the ailment, Minnesota chose to address the problem during the initial phase of the campaign, anticipating his return sometime in December, via The Athletic. According to ESPN, the operation is set for Thursday.
The procedure targets the very same knee that bothered Edwards throughout the previous campaign. Earlier on Tuesday, he was designated as questionable for Wednesday’s contest versus the Golden State Warriors due to “right knee injury maintenance,” before subsequently being downgraded to out.
Edwards, who could be spotted clutching his right knee while securing a victory against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, sat out the closing match of Minnesota’s opening-round postseason victory against the Denver Nuggets a year ago because of a hyperextension in that knee. However, he managed to make his comeback off the bench in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals facing the San Antonio Spurs.
The following excerpt comes from The Athletic’s game recap published Monday evening:
“During last year’s postseason, Edwards managed a hyperextended left knee alongside persistent swelling in his right knee. Showing remarkable grit, he suited up despite the physical toll, receiving constant medical care and undergoing several fluid drainage procedures on his right knee to remain on the court. Before the season, he revealed that he dedicated nearly two full months of rest to permit both joints to recover.”
That summer downtime initially appeared to yield great results. Holding a 3-1 record, Minnesota was emerging as one of the NBA’s premier squads, propelled by the dynamic tandem of Edwards and LaMelo Ball, the latter brought in from the Charlotte Hornets through a blockbuster trade in June.
Over the opening week and a half, Edwards has been generating 33.3 points per contest while topping the NBA with 18 converted three-pointers on 40% shooting. He has logged performances of 45 and 47 points already—all while navigating a right knee requiring surgical intervention.
Time for LaMelo Ball to step up
Minnesota must manage to stay afloat in a competitive Western Conference during Edwards’ absence, and their most viable path lies in Ball taking control of the scoring attack. Losing Edwards—an elite performer on both ends—will naturally impact Minnesota’s second-rated defense, though their defensive system remains fairly robust. Ball represents the team’s top option for generating efficient offensive possessions, making a rise in his individual scoring numbers almost inevitable.
While acknowledging the extremely limited sample size, Cleaning the Glass data shows Minnesota performing at a bottom-10 offensive efficiency level across 74 non-garbage-time possessions with Ball playing without Edwards. Those numbers will unquestionably have to climb moving forward.
Ball posted upwards of 20 points per game a year ago in Charlotte, but that mark has dipped to 14.8 during the current campaign. That decrease stems largely from Edwards’ heavy workload, as Ball has influenced games past basic stat sheets through his tempo and enthusiasm. Now, however, the Timberwolves require him to look for his own shot far more aggressively—ideally with reasonable efficiency—and demonstrate his capacity to guide a roster carrying genuine playoff aspirations.
Even so, the burden doesn’t rest exclusively on his shoulders. Although Donte DiVincenzo’s recovery from a ruptured Achilles creates a notable void, Minnesota still features several contributors capable of pooling their efforts to offset portions of Edwards’ output.
Terrence Shannon Jr. has been impressive during the opening stretch. Jonathan Kuminga, capable of manufacturing his own looks, gets a prime platform to showcase his skill set as he continues seeking a lucrative long-term deal. Meanwhile, Ayo Dosunmu offers reliable double-figure scoring and perimeter shooting, positioning him to take on an expanded role.
Yet none among that group possesses the ceiling of Minnesota’s newly designated second option.
Jaden McDaniels poised to make an All-Star leap
Currently playing under a five-year, $136 million deal, McDaniels also recently agreed to a one-year, $40 million extension with Minnesota to establish a floor for future negotiations in 2028. Put simply, McDaniels is compensated like an All-Star with potential for even higher earnings, and his play justifies the investment. Now, he must truly demonstrate that value.
McDaniels features elite talent, and with an anticipated spike in usage while Edwards heals, the stage is set for a breakout. He is currently putting up 15 points per night on 59% field goal efficiency, alongside a 42% mark from beyond the arc. While his defensive prowess is well-documented, his offensive repertoire has steadily broadened, highlighted by self-creation ability and an elite deceleration move.
Ball proved during his Charlotte tenure that few players excel more at elevating teammates’ perimeter shooting efficiency. That dynamic has already shown up in Minnesota, and with McDaniels set to receive an increase in setups from Ball, averaging over 20 points per game and earning All-Star consideration is well within reach.
It’s worth recalling that McDaniels delivered a 32-point, 10-rebound performance to eliminate Denver in Game 6 of their opening-round matchup last spring without Edwards, who was sitting out due to the exact same knee issue requiring this upcoming operation. McDaniels mirrors an ideal championship third option similar to OG Anunoby, yet he possesses the tools to serve as a high-level second option during this interim period. The opportunity to establish that has arrived.
For Ball, elevating his output to an All-Star tier is the baseline requirement given his past achievements. However, McDaniels reaching that same threshold alongside him will determine whether Minnesota can thrive while Ant is sidelined.
A manageable slate offers some relief
From now until Christmas, Minnesota encounters just six matchups against elite opponents: single games against the Spurs, Rockets, Knicks, and Thunder, along with a pair against the Lakers.
While they cannot afford stumbles against teams like Portland or Memphis, the overall schedule remains favorable, featuring 16 home dates across their upcoming 26 games. The breakdown through November—a stretch highlighted by an eight-game homestand—unfolds as follows.
