Anthony Edwards’ absence changes the Timberwolves in a lot of ways, but one of the biggest is easy to miss: they lose a major source of free throws. That matters, because Edwards has been one of Minnesota’s best at manufacturing points even when the shot isn’t falling. According to Databallr, he ranks in the 89th percentile for free-throw attempts per 100 possessions, after sitting in the 98th percentile last year.
That’s where Terrence Shannon Jr. suddenly becomes central. He’s the kind of player who can keep pressure on the rim and force whistles, and the Wolves are going to need that now that Ant is out for the next two or so months. Shannon ranks in the 98th percentile for free-throw attempts per 100 possessions, up from the 92nd percentile last year, and he showed exactly why in Minnesota’s first game without Edwards.
Against the Golden State Warriors, Shannon attacked the line all night, taking 10 free throws while the rest of the Wolves combined for 27 and nobody else got above five. Minnesota’s offense was stuck in neutral, the shots weren’t going down, and Shannon wasn’t exactly cooking from the field either - he finished 5-for-13 - but he still found a way to put up 19 points and help keep the Wolves in the fight before they fell 119-114.
That outing fit the bigger picture of his start to the season. Shannon is averaging 14.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, and he’s looked comfortable with more responsibility on the ball. His spot-up shooting and defense have also improved, which makes him more than just a downhill attacker.
He’s not perfect, and there are times when he loses a little control, but his blend of speed and power gives Minnesota a real way to pressure the rim. He doesn’t back away from contact, and that shows up in the foul drawing. With Edwards sidelined, that skill set becomes even more important.
The Wolves may not look as stagnant offensively as they did in the first half against Golden State, but it’s still fair to expect things to dry up without Edwards. That makes easy points at the line even more valuable, and Shannon has already proved he can deliver them.
He also helps keep Minnesota from leaning too heavily on the 3-point shot. With LaMelo Ball as the first option, the team could get overly dependent on perimeter scoring, and Shannon’s ability to get into the paint and force fouls gives the Wolves some needed balance.
At this point, he’s one of Minnesota’s better creators, and that makes him essential. Shannon was already important off the bench. Without Ant, he’s become indispensable.
In Other News...
Timberwolves Let A Winnable Warriors Game Slip In All The Wrong Areas
Minnesota had a chance to make a statement against Golden State and instead watched the game tilt in the same familiar places where the Warriors usually take control. Stephen Curry was relentless throughout, and Yaxel Lendeborg gave Golden State a needed scoring boost, but the bigger story for the Timberwolves was how many possessions they let slip away on the glass and at the line in a 119-114 defeat.
The loss stung because it was there for the taking before the Warriors started stacking extra chances and turning them into points. Minnesota could not match Golden States physical edge or keep pace once the game tightened, and the final margin left the Timberwolves with a familiar frustration about the details that decide close games when they matter most. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Suddenly Face Early Tension Their Hot Start Couldnt Hide
The early part of the season made Minnesota look like it could breeze through the opening stretch, with three straight blowouts by 20 points or more before the first real cracks showed up. A loss to Cleveland was a reminder that the wins cant mask everything, and the bigger concern is the tone around the team as it tries to settle into a rhythm after such a fast start.
Anthony Edwards knee injury has only added to the uncertainty, and the Wolves are now trying to manage the kind of turbulence that can test a locker room before Thanksgiving. Rudy Gobert has been at the center of some visible on-court frustration, a sign that the chemistry issues are not staying behind closed doors, but this is still a long season and Minnesota has enough time to sort through it if the response is as strong as the start. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Edwards Absence Puts Early Pressure On The Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards is facing a prolonged stint on the sideline after undergoing a successful arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, leaving the Timberwolves to sort out their early-season plans without their top perimeter engine. Minnesota expects Edwards to miss up to two months, and while the team has framed the surgery as part of a normal cleanup, the timing still lands as a significant setback for a club that leans heavily on his scoring, pace and late-clock shot creation.
The encouraging part for Minnesota is that the organization expects a full recovery, but there is no specific timetable for his return, which makes the opening stretch of the schedule that much more delicate. With Edwards out, the Wolves will have to navigate those first weeks with less margin for error and a greater need for other pieces to absorb the offensive load until their star is cleared to come back. [Read more 🡒]