MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves believe Anthony Edwards will be “good as new” following arthroscopic surgery for a lingering injury to his right knee, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said Wednesday.
Edwards is scheduled for the cleanup procedure Thursday. Afterward, the Timberwolves will have a clearer timetable for his return later this season, which could be a matter of weeks or months.
Connelly did not specify the diagnosis. Edwards dealt with right knee pain last spring and played a career-low 61 games last season. He then hyperextended his left knee in the first round of the playoffs, which caused a deep bone bruise and kept him out for two games.
Edwards was seen grabbing his knee with a grimace at one point Sunday during the home opener. Even after being listed as questionable to play Monday, he scored 47 points in an overtime loss at Cleveland. His 133 points through four games set a franchise record.
An MRI on Tuesday revealed new damage that was not detected in previous scans, which were taken before training camp and during the playoffs. Connelly said Edwards’s condition this summer did not warrant a procedure at that time.
“He wants to play tonight. He looked pretty good the other night, having the 47,” Connelly said before the Timberwolves hosted Golden State. “We’re just concerned about his long-term health. We want to make sure we’re putting him in the best position he can be so he can be the best version he’s going to be for a long time.”
Connelly said Edwards, an intense competitor, agreed to the surgery “kicking and screaming.”
“He’s bummed, but Anthony is such a naturally positive and upbeat guy,” Connelly said. “He’s hit all his teammates quickly and said, ‘You guys got it,’ and we’ll roll from there.”
Timberwolves Plan Around Edwards’ Absence
Wolves coach Chris Finch said before Wednesday’s game against Golden State that the news was “a bit of a shock to everybody.” Still, Finch feels confident that his team has the depth and experience to handle an extended stretch without Edwards.
Finch said the team will need a collective effort to replace Edwards’s scoring. The four-time All-Star averaged 33.3 points in Minnesota’s first four games.
“We’ll have to kind of fill that scoring void by committee,” Finch said. “Certainly, spreading more shots around the team, everybody likes that. Obviously they’ve got to go in to make up the point difference.”
The Timberwolves are already without guard Donte DiVincenzo, who started all 82 games last season before tearing his right Achilles tendon in the same playoff game against Denver in which Edwards hyperextended his left knee. The acquisition of point guard LaMelo Ball has remade the lineup and given the team a fresh spark, moving Edwards back to his natural shooting guard spot.
Minnesota has plenty of backcourt depth. Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. have come off the bench so far this season, and one of them is likely to start in Edwards’s absence. Another backup, Bones Hyland, will likely take on a bigger role as well.
“We know he brings dynamic scoring, leadership. Tough to fill in his shoes, just from what he does on the floor for us. Nobody can be like Ant, but we’ve got players who can step in and just take over a game as well,” Hyland said. “Just play team basketball.”
Several Stars Hit by Early-Season Injuries
Edwards is one of several notable players sidelined early in the NBA season. Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) are both expected to miss multiple weeks. Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams suffered a dislocated ankle and broken leg, while teammate Cason Wallace tore his labrum in the same game.
With Edwards out, opponents will have to adjust to a Timberwolves lineup without its explosive guard.
“I feel terrible for him. It’s just brutal for the league when all these superstar players who are so incredible to watch are injured and out,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I hope he makes a quick comeback. I’m a huge fan of his. I want to see him back as soon as possible.”