Anthony Edwards, who just days ago was dropping 40-point games and looked like an MVP candidate, is now set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and could miss up to two months. This is a brutal gut punch for the Timberwolves, especially after Edwards started the season with two 40-plus-point explosions, including an insane 47 points in Monday’s overtime loss to Cleveland. He’d been playing through knee pain, but this injury clearly couldn’t wait. We’re barely a week and a half into the NBA season, and the stars are already falling fast.
Wolves’ MVP Hopes on Hold, OKC’s Season in Shambles
This injury to Edwards isn’t just a two-month setback, it’s a torpedo to what was shaping up to be an MVP-like campaign. He won’t even be eligible for seasonal awards now, which is just tragic given how he started. Fans will be stashing him on IR until at least January, hoping he can return in the second half to help the Wolves make a run. So, who steps up? Ayo Dosunmu, already 75% rostered, is the obvious next man in the starting five. He’s been solid, averaging 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 26 minutes over four games. Last season, when Edwards sat out with a knee injury, Dosunmu went off, putting up 19 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, and a steal in 33 minutes across seven games. If Dosunmu is gone, look at Terrence Shannon Jr., who’s averaging 13 points and 2.5 threes in 22 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga just notched his first double-double with the Wolves on Monday, so expect his role to expand, too.
But the Wolves aren’t the only team dealing with devastating news. Over in Oklahoma City, the Thunder are absolutely decimated. Jalen Williams has a dislocated left ankle and a fractured fibula, needs surgery, and is likely out for the *entire season*. That’s a brutal blow, making him a definite drop in most fantasy leagues unless you’ve got an IL spot to burn on a slim prayer for a late-season return. And it gets worse: Cason Wallace is also looking at missing most, if not all, of the season after tearing his labrum in his left shoulder and needing surgery. Even Chet Holmgren is dealing with right knee patellar tendinitis, keeping him out of one game so far and still sidelined Wednesday. While his situation seems more day-to-day, it’s still something everyone needs to keep a very close eye on. These are some major players getting sidelined, and it’s barely October!
Orlando Magic Hit Hard as Well
With so many key players out for the Thunder, who can fill the void? Ajay Mitchell is the clear winner here, averaging 16 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.5 stocks. He had an insane 30-point, 5-assist breakout on Monday, but keep an eye on his status for Wednesday against Dallas, as he’s questionable with an ankle sprain. Jared McCain, who started Monday and put up 18 points with four threes, is going to be a reliable source of points and treys. And for the deep-league managers out there, Aday Mara is worth a look; he dropped 11 points and 10 boards in 20 minutes on Monday filling in for Holmgren, and with Chet still out Wednesday, Mara could be a stream option again.
The injury bug isn’t done yet, folks. The Orlando Magic are also hurting, big time. Paolo Banchero is out for 4-6 weeks after suffering a low-grade high-ankle sprain against the Timberwolves last week. And to add insult to injury, Jalen Suggs will miss at least the next two weeks after suffering a mild bone bruise in his right knee, a non-contact injury that just popped up. This truly has been an injury hell to kick off the NBA season.
It’s only October, and we’ve already lost so many high-caliber players for extended periods. This league is going to be wild to watch unfold as teams try to plug these massive holes. You gotta feel for these guys, battling through the early season grind, only to have their seasons derailed so soon.
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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