Edwards Undergoes Knee Surgery; Wolves Aim for December Return

Anthony Edwards is out for as long as two months.

The Minnesota Timberwolves star will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Thursday. ESPN's Shams Charania reported the timeline, and The Athletic noted the team targets a return in December. The injury forces a pause in a strong start for a team that holds a 3-1 record.

The decision came less than 24 hours after Edwards scored 47 points in an overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. The Timberwolves chose to address the issue early rather than have him continue playing on the damaged knee. He was initially listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Golden State Warriors with right knee injury maintenance before being ruled out.

This is the same knee that caused problems last season. Edwards was seen grabbing at it during Sunday's win over the Toronto Raptors. Last year, he missed the final game of Minnesota's first-round playoff win over the Denver Nuggets due to a hyperextension. He returned from the bench for Game 1 of the conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. The Athletic reported he received around-the-clock treatment and had the knee drained several times to stay available. He told reporters in the preseason that he took two months off to let both knees heal.

The Timberwolves have relied heavily on Edwards, who averages 33.3 points per game. He leads the league with 18 three-pointers made at a 40 percent rate. His absence leaves LaMelo Ball to carry the scoring load. Ball arrived in a June trade from the Charlotte Hornets. He averages 14.8 points per game this season, down from over 20 points per game last year. Cleaning the Glass data shows the Wolves have played at a bottom-ten offensive rate over 74 non-garbage-time possessions with Ball on the floor and Edwards off it.

Other players must step up. Donte DiVincenzo is rehabbing a torn Achilles. Terrence Shannon Jr. has started the season strongly. Jonathan Kuminga has a chance to boost his case for a long-term contract. Ayo Dosunmu is a double-digit scorer and three-point shooter. Jaden McDaniels may be the biggest factor. He is on a five-year, $136 million contract and just signed a one-year, $40 million extension. He averages 15 points per game on 59 percent shooting and is making 42 percent of his three-pointers. Last year, he scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Game 6 against Denver without Edwards.

The schedule offers some help before Christmas. The Wolves face only six games against top-tier opponents: the Spurs, Rockets, Knicks, Thunder, and the Lakers twice. They have 16 of their next 26 games at home, including an eight-game homestand in November.