Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will miss up to two months after scheduling an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. The decision sidelines one of the NBA’s top scorers early in the season and threatens his eligibility for major end-of-year awards.
The Decision to Operate After a 47-Point Performance
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards needs an arthroscopic procedure to alleviate ongoing issues in his right knee and will miss up to two months, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed according to reports from The Associated Press. Just hours before the news broke, Edwards played 41 minutes and scored 47 points in an overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Edwards had been listed as questionable on the team’s injury report due to a right knee issue ahead of Monday’s matchup in Cleveland, reports noted. He was also initially listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors before the decision was made to go forward with the surgery, reports indicated.
Just in: Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his ailing right knee and miss up to two months, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/HenrAY2APs
— https://x.com/shamscharania/status/2115213582023671851
Edwards dealt with a hyperextended left knee in the playoffs last season and was also bothered by inflammation in his right knee. He played through it in inspiring fashion, getting around-the-clock treatment and having his right knee drained multiple times to stay available, and said in the preseason that he took most of two months off to allow both knees to heal.
The Athletic, via CBS Sports
Impact on the Timberwolves Roster and Western Conference Standing
The absence of their primary offensive weapon is a difficult blow to a Minnesota squad that opened the season 3-1. Edwards was in the middle of a career-best start, averaging 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 40% from 3-point range through his first four appearances, according to reports.
Minnesota completely revamped its roster around Edwards during the offseason, trading away veterans Naz Reid and Julius Randle to acquire dynamic playmaker LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets. That pairing paid immediate dividends, helping generate an average point differential of 17 points early in the year. With Edwards sidelined up to two months, Ball is projected to absorb a heavier scoring load, while Ayo Dosunmu could step into a starting role from the bench, reports noted.
Award Eligibility and Return Timeline
A two-month recovery window means Edwards will miss approximately 25 games, pushing his potential return toward Minnesota’s Christmas matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That prolonged absence carries direct consequences for his resume, as missing roughly a quarter of the schedule leaves him short of the NBA’s 65-game threshold required for end-of-season honors like All-NBA selections and the Most Valuable Player award, MPR News detailed.
Last year, knee issues already limited Edwards to 61 games. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch had characterized the guard’s status as a daily situation
before the Cleveland game, expressing hope that the discomfort would not turn into a long-term absence. Instead, medical evaluations prompted the organization to address the joint surgically before the winter stretch of the season.
The Timberwolves look at Anthony Edwards surgery as a way to get it addressed as soon as possible and hope is he’ll be back sometime in December or so and be fully ready to go, per source
— https://x.com/JonKrawczynski/status/2115215681444544998
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