The Minnesota Timberwolves have been on an absolute tear, dismantling opponents by an average of over 23 points through their first three games. But now, just as they’re set to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, a massive wrench got thrown into their plans: Anthony Edwards is officially on the injury report for right knee injury management. This is the last thing anyone wanted to see after such a dominant start to the season.
Edwards’ Status and the Sunday Scare
Edwards might have tweaked that knee late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. You could literally see him grimace slightly after finishing a fast-break dunk. That kind of reaction is never a good sign, especially for a guy who’s been playing lights out. He ended up playing just 28 minutes in the Timberwolves’ 117-94 win over the Raptors, but still put up 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Through three games, Edwards has been a beast, averaging 28.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, all while shooting 44.3%. Losing that kind of production, even for one game, is a tough blow for any team trying to keep their early momentum rolling.
Even Without Ant, Wolves Still Loaded
Now, even if Edwards can’t go, the Timberwolves are still going to be a seriously tough test for Cleveland. The addition of LaMelo Ball has absolutely helped elevate their offense, no question. That’s a huge part of why Minnesota has posted a ridiculous 122.1 offensive rating through three games, which is good for 4th in the entire league! Plus, they still boast a world-class defense, with that front line of Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert making life miserable for opposing offenses. All of Minnesota’s other regular starters are expected to be available for Monday’s game. However, they will still be without Donte DiVincenzo, who is currently recovering from a right Achilles tendon injury. For the Cavaliers, they’ll be mostly healthy, though Nae’Qwan Tomlin remains out with a back injury, and Khalifa Diop is still waiting to make his debut as he deals with a left knee injury.
So, Monday’s matchup against the Cavs is gonna be a real gut check for Minnesota. Can they maintain their scorching pace and keep that undefeated record alive even with their star guard potentially sidelined? It’s a huge early-season challenge, and every minute of that game will show us what this team is truly made of.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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