Hours prior to tip off Thursday in Detroit, the Timberwolves announced Anthony Edwards would miss the team’s game with right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and an illness.
That news came with ramifications on multiple fronts.
Minnesota obviously preferred to have its best player on the floor as it continues to jostle for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The team was decked by Detroit when the two sides met over the weekend with Edwards also on the sidelines.
On an individual basis, Edwards’ absence ensured he wouldn’t meet the 65-game threshold required to be eligible for season-long NBA honors such as All-NBA.
Edwards was second-team All-NBA each of the previous two seasons. The guard is averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game this season.