Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves snagged a historic OT comeback victory Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, who were just 0.5 games back in the Western Conference standings, entering the contest.
After the win — their fourth in five games without superstar Anthony Edwards — Minnesota got a rare three-day rest period, which comes to an end Saturday night against the Detroit Pistons. Even better, both games are/were at home, so there was no travel involved.
Earlier this week, the hope was that Edwards would be able to return from his knee injury this weekend, following the extended break, which would have allowed for an nine-game ramp up period for the playoffs, which begin next month.
Anthony Edwards out of Minnesota Timberwolves lineup again
Unfortunately, that’s not how reality unfolded. Instead, reports dropped this afternoon that Anthony Edwards would not be ready for tomorrow’s 4:30 p.m. CDT tip against the Pistons.
The hope now, per NBA insiders, is that Ant will be ready for Minnesota’s next game, Monday in Dallas, though that seems far from guaranteed, as well.
The Wolves say Anthony Edwards (right knee) is out Saturday against Detroit … which means Monday night in Dallas might — stress: might — be his return game.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 27, 2026
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has been cleared for on-court practice activities and further updates will be provided when available.
Still no clear timeline on his return, but it seems like he is now day-to-day.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) March 27, 2026
Obviously, it’s never good news when your team loses its superstar. And at this point in his career, the 24-year-old Anthony Edwards is more than just a superstar to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He’s the most talented player in franchise history, and it’s not really close.
However, the Wolves have somehow figured out a way to be better, since he’s been out, than they were before he left the lineup. In the last five games that Edwards was available, Minnesota went 1-4 with a 113.1 offensive rating and HIDEOUS 127.2 defensive rating.
MN Timberwolves better without Anthony Edwards…?
In the five games since Ant went out of the lineup, the Minnesota Timberwolves are 4-1 with a slightly better offensive rating (113.7). But on defense, compared to how they were playing before Ant’s injury… the difference is far more drastic. Like, 25 (102.7) more drastic…
One reason why the MN Timberwolves have actually played better during this stretch without one of the best players in the league, is the offensive empowerment of everyone else.
Related: Timberwolves Coach May Never Forgive Himself for Benching Mike Conley
That’s especially true for 25-year-old Jaden McDaniels, who was selected No. 28 overall in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, 27 picks after the Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards.
“Slim” is always all-world defensively. But somehow, he plays even better on that side of the floor, when he’s a featured piece offensively too, which has certainly been the case recently.
ANT TOLD Y’ALL.
WE GOT JADEN McDANIELS. pic.twitter.com/f53tUTrZzs
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 26, 2026
Jaden McDaniels out of Wolves lineup Saturday too
Unfortunately, McDaniels left Wednesday’s win early with what he described at the time as cramping. That doesn’t seem to be the case, however, because the Wolves won’t be down only Anthony Edwards on Saturday.
According to Minnesota’s day-before-game status report, which dropped Friday afternoon, McDaniels will sit out Saturday with a knee injury of his own. To make matters worse, Ayo Dosunmu — who’s really been finding his groove lately — is questionable with a right calf injury.
Minnesota @Timberwolves Status Report in advance of tomorrow afternoon’s game vs. Detroit Pistons:
QUESTIONABLE
Dosunmu- Right Calf Soreness
OUT
Edwards- Right Knee Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
McDaniels- Right Knee Soreness
Freeman- Two-Way
Pullin- Two-Way
Zikarsky- Two-Way
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) March 27, 2026
Anthony Edwards in danger of losing 2026 award eligibility
Of note: If Anthony Edwards does not rejoin the lineup by Monday vs the Mavericks, his eligibility for 2026 NBA player awards, like All-NBA, MVP or All-Defense will be in serious jeopardy.
A new rule enacted prior to the 2023-24 NBA season requires at least 65 games played in order to qualify for regular season awards. That means Ant still needs seven more games, in order to be eligible… and the Wolves only have eight remaining after Saturday night.
Mentioned in this article: Anthony Edwards Jaden McDaniels
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