The Minnesota Timberwolves must prepare for life without Anthony Edwards for the foreseeable future as they get ready to host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
According to multiple reports Tuesday, the superstar guard will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his ailing right knee and could miss up to two months.
Edwards averaged 33.3 points over Minnesota’s first four games. He is coming off a 47-point performance on 19-of-34 shooting in a 127-125 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.
The Timberwolves have several players who could step up during Edwards’ absence. Jaden McDaniels ranks second on the team with 15.0 points per game early in the season, while LaMelo Ball, acquired in the offseason to pair with Edwards in the backcourt, is averaging 14.8 points and a team-high 6.3 assists.
Third-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr., who is averaging 13 points per game, has earned praise from coaches and teammates for his contributions off the bench.
“No doubt about it, there’s been great growth there,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said recently. “There really has been. His contain, his routes, he’s not fouling — he used to be a high-foul guy. The only missing piece for him right now is rebounding at a little bit better level. And that’d be exactly what this lineup needs.”
Meanwhile, Warriors coach Steve Kerr remains optimistic about his team despite a slow start that included three consecutive losses to open the season.
One reason for Kerr’s optimism is the emerging chemistry between Brandin Podziemski and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. The pair showed promise in Golden State’s first win of the season Monday against Denver and could have another opportunity to work together against Minnesota.
“Brandin really knows how to play,” Kerr said. “He knows how to get people the ball. He knows how to deal with closeouts. When you have both of them on the floor, there’s just a lot that can happen in order to attack the defense. I thought both guys were terrific (against the Nuggets). Together, they really form a nice combo.”
Lendeborg is averaging 21.8 points on 45% shooting through his first four NBA games. He is also averaging 9.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and one steal per game. However, he was listed as questionable on Tuesday’s injury report with left foot inflammation and soreness.
Kerr believes the sky is the limit for the former Michigan Wolverine.
“That’s the exciting part is where this can go,” Kerr said. “Because there’s still probably 10 plays that I could pull up on tape where he made mistakes either defensively or offensively, not recognizing something that he needs to recognize.
“Despite all that, he just dominated the game (against Denver) and took over — at 24 (years old) and in his fourth game. So, pretty impressive. We’re going to keep coaching him and keep trying to get him to learn the NBA game and make the most of that enormous potential he’s got.”
Stephen Curry leads the Warriors with 23.7 points per game while shooting 52.6% from the field. Lendeborg and Podziemski, who is averaging 18.0 points, are close behind.
