MN Timberwolves Superstar Shelved for Multiple Games

Anthony Edwards : Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder
Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves are back on the hardwood tonight, at home, against the Phoenix Suns.

After losing four of their last five games, the Suns are nipping at the Wolves heels in the Western Conference standings, making tonight’s matchup feel like a must-win for the home team.

Not only do the Timberwolves need to stop their skid, but a loss would bring the Suns within one game of catching them for the 6-seed in the West. That’s significant, being the 7-10 seeds have to make the playoff field by advancing through the play-in tournament.

RkWest StandingsGB
1Thunder
2Spurs3
3Lakers10
4Rockets11.5
5Nuggets12
6Wolves12
PLAY-IN CUT LINE
7Suns14
8Clippers19
9Warriors20
10Blazers20.5

Of course, if Minnesota can pull out a win Tuesday, against a team that they have dominated for the past few seasons, then it would make life awfully difficult for the Suns to climb out of a three-game hole with just 13 games left to play.

Anthony Edwards ruled out of MN Timberwolves Lineup for at least 1-2 weeks

But that was before the Timberwolves put out a press release this afternoon noting that Anthony Edwards will miss at least one to two weeks with a knee injury, before being re-evaluated by the team’s medical staff.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) conducted by Dr. Craig Bennett at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine on Edwards revealed right knee inflammation. Edwards will be re-evaluated in 1-2 weeks, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available.

Minnesota Timberwolves PR

Anthony Edwards lands on the shelf in the midst of statistically his best season ever, averaging career-highs in points (29.5), 3-point % (.402), FG % (.492), offensive rating (119) and defensive rating (114) — among others.

Obviously, the Minnesota Timberwolves are a better basketball team when arguably the most talented player in the league is available. However, in the 800+ minutes in which Ant has not been on the floor this season, the statistical drop-off for the Wolves offensively isn’t as significant as you’d think.

They certainly move the ball better offensively, when Edwards is not on the floor. That allows all the talent on Minnesota’s roster to shine, especially guys like Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels, who oftentimes flourish when they have the ball in their hands more often.

2026 WolvesWith Ant (per gm)
Assist %-6.6
TOV %+0.1
Off Rtg-0.6
eFG%-0.015
Stl %-0.7
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