The Minnesota Timberwolves will be without Anthony Edwards for Monday night’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors, a blow for a team already searching for answers during a tough stretch.
Edwards, who had been listed as questionable earlier in the day for injury management, was officially ruled out ahead of tipoff. The timing raises some eyebrows - especially considering the Wolves are riding a five-game skid - but it may also be a calculated move to preserve their star’s health over the long haul.
The Warriors, for their part, are also coming in short-handed. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are both sitting this one out, which shifts the dynamic of the game significantly. Still, Minnesota will be missing its engine - and that’s no small thing.
Edwards has been electric in January. The 24-year-old former No. 1 overall pick is putting up 31.2 points per game on nearly 50 percent shooting from the field, along with 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
He’s been the clear focal point of the Wolves’ offense, and his recent outing against these same Warriors was a reminder of just how dominant he can be. In Sunday’s 111-85 loss at home, Edwards poured in 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting, adding 11 boards, two assists, and a block in 34 minutes.
It wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding, but it was a performance that underlined his value to this team.
Without Edwards, the Timberwolves will have to lean more heavily on the backcourt tandem of Mike Conley and Bones Hyland. Conley’s veteran presence and floor generalship will be crucial, while Hyland’s ability to create off the dribble could be a key X-factor. But replacing Edwards’ production - and the gravity he commands on the floor - is no easy task.
The Timberwolves are in a rough patch, and missing their franchise cornerstone doesn’t make the climb any easier. Whether this is just a one-game absence or something more extended, Minnesota will need to find a way to stay afloat until Edwards is back in uniform.