Anthony Edwards to Undergo Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Over Two Months
Anthony Edwards, the star guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, will need an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The surgery is scheduled for Thursday, and Edwards is expected to be sidelined for at least two months.
Details of the Injury
The exact details of Edwards' knee problem remain unclear, but the issue has troubled him since last season and continued into the current campaign. He battled a chronic runner's knee condition during last year's playoffs and also suffered a separate injury to his left knee, which kept him out for part of the first-round series against the Nuggets. Edwards returned in the second round against the Spurs but wasn't fully himself.
Throughout the offseason, Edwards focused on rest and recovery, yet his right knee was visibly troubling him during the early games this season. Reports say he aggravated the injury during Minnesota's season opener against the Miami Heat. Shortly after, in a game against the Raptors, Edwards appeared to be in pain following a collision involving his right knee.
He was listed as questionable for the game against the Cavaliers due to managing his knee but still played 41 minutes and scored 47 points. Edwards was also initially doubtful for the upcoming matchup with the Golden State Warriors, which he will now miss due to the surgery.
Impact on the Timberwolves and Season Outlook
This setback is a harsh blow for Edwards and the Timberwolves, who are considered contenders in the Western Conference. Minnesota has reached the conference finals twice in the past three seasons and aims to make its first NBA Finals appearance with Edwards at his peak.
The team reshaped its roster around Edwards during the offseason, trading Naz Reid and Julius Randle, and acquiring All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball from Charlotte. So far, the new lineup has shown promise, with Edwards averaging 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2 steals per game. He has been shooting 40% from beyond the arc on 11.3 attempts per game, thriving alongside Ball’s playmaking.
Minnesota’s offense ranks among the league’s most exciting, putting up 122 points per game—the fourth highest in the NBA. Their average point differential of 17 points is the second best in the league through the first four games.
With Edwards sidelined for possibly the remainder of the calendar year, the Timberwolves will rely more heavily on Ball’s scoring abilities. There is also a chance that Ayo Dosunmu could move into the starting lineup to help fill the gap.
