The Minnesota Timberwolves just lost their franchise star for a big chunk of the early season. Anthony Edwards is having an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee and will miss up to two months, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday, via ClutchPoints.
Before the news broke, Edwards had been listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors with right knee management, according to Bleacher Report. This isn’t his first knee scare, either. Last season, he dealt with problems in both knees, including a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise during Minnesota’s first-round series against the Denver Nuggets in April.
The IAHHM Take
Ant is the face of the Wolves and one of the league’s most marketable personalities, so losing him for as long as two months hits on and off the court. The timing matters too. An arthroscopic cleanup now is a whole lot better than playing through it and having the knee give out in March.
Now the spotlight shifts. Minnesota just brought in former Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball, who got a warm welcome in his first Timberwolves home game. With Edwards out, Melo gets the keys sooner than anybody expected. Carolina fans know exactly what he can do with a team built around him. This stretch could be his chance to show Minnesota the same thing.
It also shakes up the West. ClutchPoints notes that Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams is dealing with an injury too, which could give contenders like San Antonio an opening to make moves.
Can the Wolves tread water until Ant gets back? And is this LaMelo’s moment to remind everybody he’s a star? Sound off.
Source: ClutchPoints | Bleacher Report
