Timberwolves Losing in Houston and Iowa: Rookie, Justin Patton, has 2nd Surgery on Foot

By Johnny Minnesota |

Updated: Apr 16, 2024

Justin Patton #24 of the Iowa Wolves drives to the basket against the Austin Spurs during an NBA G-League game at the H-E-B Center on February 8, 2018 in Cedar Park, Texas. February 08, 2018 (Chris Covatta - Getty Images)

In case you were transfixed by Wednesday’s marathon Twins game, here’s a friendly Minnesota heads-up:

The Timberwolves got their ass kicked.

Headed to Minnesota up 2-0! ? pic.twitter.com/WID1HGFte1

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 19, 2018

Dear Target Center: We need your help. Thanks.

The series will return to action on Saturday. In the interim, prepare yourself for plenty of Wolves related ridicule. For those of you about that life, you can find some at the 11 minute mark of the latest NSJS podcast:

I uploaded a new episode, “Ep. 16: Fleck Rising, Pitino Falling, and Why TWolves Can Beat Rockets?”, on #spreaker #gophers #minnesota_sports #minnesota_timberwolves #minnesotagophers #mntwins https://t.co/VV7EYU4G6h

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 16, 2018

As many people panic over Towns, my worries surround a different Minnesota big man:

Adding injury to insult: Wolves rookie Justin Patton had another surgery on his left foot

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 19, 2018

Team is hopeful Patton will be ready for training camp, but this is clearly a very concerning issue for their first-round pick.

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 19, 2018

On 2017’s Fourth of July, Justin Patton underwent surgery to “repair a broken fifth metatarsal on his left foot.” The fifth metatarsal, for the 99%+ of us who aren’t medical professionals, is the “long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe.”

Patton, the 16^th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, came to Minnesota via the Jimmy Butler trade. Less than two weeks into his Wolves’ career, the one-and-done from Creighton slipped on a court wet spot.

via GIPHY

Why was that demon wet spot not removed?

After a five-month recovery process, the 7’ Center made his G League debut in mid-December. In his first game, Patton’s 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks in only 16 minutes of action was so impressive it left Iowa Wolves coach Scott Roth “a little shocked.”

When it was all said and done, the Omaha native played in 38 games (12.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 BPG) for Minnesota’s G League affiliate. Despite seeing 23.1 minutes per contest with Iowa, he saw less than four minutes of NBA action.

With hopes that he’ll return for September’s training camp, the Timberwolves elected for a second surgery “to encourage further healing”. Wolves’ fans around the state are itching to put this issue to sleep.

In closing, as painful as Wednesday’s loss to the Rockets was, indications are that this team is a couple/few years away (if Jimmy doesn’t leave via 2019 FA) from reaching their peak.

For that peak to reach its full potential, parlaying this man with KAT in the front court seems almost necessary: