Timberwolves Reveal Mixed Bag of Injury Updates

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Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels - Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

For a team that has been to two straight Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves have looked anything but dominant during the second half of the season. Still, with eight games left in the regular season, the Wolves are comfortably on track to avoid the dreaded NBA play-in tournament.

For the past six games, head coach Chris Finch has been without Anthony Edwards. The Wolves have gone 4-2 without Ant, and even looked rather impressive at times, it became very clear Saturday, during a beatdown loss vs East-leading Detroit, just how much they need their superstar back.

Edwards and Dosunmu tracking for Minnesota Timberwolves return

Thankfully, the word going around the league Monday is that, not only is Anthony Edwards expected back tonight, but so is trade deadline acquisition Ayo Dosunmu

Dosunmu has been upgraded to “available” from his “questionable” status on Sunday. Meanwhile, Charlie Walton (Zone Coverage) and others have suggested that Edwards will likely join him as well. Unfortunately, Jaden McDaniels remains OUT.

In the six games without Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves have gone 4-2. That includes an unthinkable ten-point win over the Boston Celtics on the road, and quite literally the largest overtime comeback in NBA history. Facing a hapless Dallas Mavericks team on Monday night, reinforcements appear imminent.

Edwards is currently averaging 29.5 points per game and is in the midst of his best season as a pro. He’ll need to play in each of the Timberwolves final eight games if he wants to be eligible for season award consideration (minimum 65 games played requirement).

Related: Timberwolves’ 6MOY Fined for Questioning Integrity of NBA Referee

Without Edwards, the Timberwolves have been forced to lean on their veterans. Julius Randle became a focal point, while Naz Reid and Bones Hyland also have picked up their games. Mike Conley found himself back in the starting lineup after Finch had stripped his minutes, and the depth nucleus seemed to gel.

A soft opponent like the 24-50 Dallas Mavericks should give the MN Timberwolves should allow Edwards and Dosunmu to knock off any rust early, especially as the team adjusts to playing with Ant in the lineup again.

Jaden McDaniels remains out for MN Timberwolves

Unfortunately, there was a bit of a darker side to today’s Minnesota Timberwolves report. Originally reported as cramping, Jaden McDaniels is now “week-to-week” with what has been diagnosed as “left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise.” On the bright side, he does not require surgery.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) conducted by Dr. Craig Bennett at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine on McDaniels revealed left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise. McDaniels will be listed as week-to-week, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Typically known for his defense, McDaniels had stepped up offensively in the absence of Edwards. He is averaging a career-high 14.8 points per game this season, and the 51.8% shooting clip is a new high-water mark as well.

If the MN Timberwolves want to make a deep playoff run, then a healthy McDaniels has to be a large part of that. The regular season still stretches two weeks as it ends for Minnesota on April 12. The hope would be that McDaniels can ramp back up through rest and rehab.

Surgery has been ruled out at this time, and Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic) has reported that the timeline is intended to coincide with a return for the playoffs.

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