Minnesota Timberwolves Superstar Out Again

The Minnesota Timberwolves will get back on the floor tonight in Houston against a 23-15 Rockets team that has lost four of its last five games and feels on the verge of falling from the sky.

Meanwhile, tonight’s road team has no such worries. The Wolves have soared to wins in five of their last six. Their most recent victory came on the road, via 139-106 blowout victory over the Milwaukee Bucks — a game Minnesota dominated without superstar Anthony Edwards in the lineup.

Anthony Edwards injury keeps him out again

Recently, Ant started being listed on the injury report before games with a foot injury. When he was ruled out against the Bucks, his official designation was “right foot injury maintenance”, which seems key. Even without Ant or Rudy Gobert (suspension), it didn’t matter on Tuesday.

So on Friday, with a national audience watching (ESPN), the Wolves are rolling the dice again and resting superstar Anthony Edwards, with the same designation as earlier in the week.

Minnesota @Timberwolves Status Report in advance of tomorrow night’s game at Houston Rockets:

OUT
Edwards – Right Foot Injury Maintenance
Freeman – Two-Way
Shannon Jr – Left Foot Abductor Hallucis Strain
Zikarsky – Two-Way

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) January 15, 2026

On the season, Anthony Edwards is averaging a career high 28.9 points per game, to go along with 5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. His offensive rating is up to an absurd 119 — also a career high.

But Ant isn’t slipping on the defensive end, either, so losing him on that end hurts too. On the year, he’s averaging 1.3 steals per game and a career high 0.8 blocks. His defensive rating is 113, which is right around his career average.

Minnesota Timberwolves need role players to step up again

According to what the Minnesota Timberwolves have put out there, we have nothing to worry about, with Anthony Edwards’ injury. From the sounds of it, he could be playing in these games, were they, say, playoff games.

Anthony Edwards from the left elbow three this season:
14/23 – 60.8%

Pull-ups off the dribble, step-backs. Defenses know it’s coming and still get burned. pic.twitter.com/k1oIOUXnjJ

— Wolf Wise Statistics (@WolfWiseStats) January 13, 2026

Related: MN Timberwolves Eyeing Familiar Trade Deadline Consolation Prize

But they aren’t and the Wolves need their superstar as close to 100% as possible, once we do get later in the season. Still, in a tight Western Conference, every win matters.

So without Anthony Edwards on the floor Friday, they need to punch early and often against a Rockets team that has already been back on its heels recently. Getting Rudy Gobert back should certainly help. We’ll see how much Joan Beringer we get, after his big night on Tuesday (30 MP, 13 PTS, 5 REB, +30).

Unfortunately for Terrance Shannon Jr, he is injured too, so the second-year wing will not enjoy any of Ant’s 35+ minutes tonight.