According to ESPN‘s Shams Charania, Edwards will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his ailing right knee and is expected to miss up to two months. The recovery timeline targets a late-December return, though any setback could push his season debut into the new calendar year.

Losing Edwards is devastating for a Timberwolves squad coming off a run to the Western Conference Finals behind his leadership. With their primary scoring threat on the shelf, Minnesota will lean heavily on players like LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga to keep the offense afloat.

Coming off an electric start to the season—and a fiery, highly publicized exchange with the Miami Heat bench—Edwards now faces a grueling rehab before he can rejoin a Wolves team that was thriving around his play.

Navigating without Edwards

To survive Edwards’ extended absence, Minnesota must pivot to a motion-heavy attack orchestrated by secondary playmakers like LaMelo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu. On the perimeter, wings Jaden McDaniels and Jonathan Kuminga will be counted on to create their own shots off the bounce to help replace Edwards’ 25-plus points per night.

Defensively, the Timberwolves will need to tighten up and generate transition opportunities to manufacture easy scoring. Leaning on the stout defensive identity that previously kept them afloat—going 12-9 in Edwards’ absence over recent years—will be paramount to remaining in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Timeline and projected games missed

While Edwards avoids a season-ending outcome, his late-October arthroscopic procedure carries an estimated recovery window of six to eight weeks. That timeline projects a late-December return, putting his total missed time at roughly 25 to 27 regular-season contests.

The upcoming gauntlet won’t make life easy for Minnesota, which faces Western Conference heavyweights such as Golden State, Oklahoma City, Denver, and San Antonio, alongside crucial NBA Cup group-stage matchups. Missing roughly 25 games also effectively disqualifies Edwards from reaching the NBA’s 65-game threshold required for postseason awards like All-NBA and MVP.

Key takeaways

• Anthony Edwards suffered a significant knee injury sidelining him for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• Edwards faces arthroscopic right knee surgery and could miss up to two months.
• The recovery timeline projects Anthony Edwards will miss roughly 25 to 27 regular-season games.

“A player on [the Heat] bench was talking trash… And then when I started talking to him, he didn’t really have too much more to say… If you gonna talk s***, keep talkin s***. Don’t get quiet,” Edwards told reporters after the game.

Extracurriculars aside, the primary goal for the Wolves was starting the 2026-27 NBA season on the right foot. Following a preseason centered around integrating key offseason additions alongside Edwards, newcomers like LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga proved they are already locked in and ready for the grueling campaign ahead.

Much like Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic dealing with on-court chatter from Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, Edwards finding himself in the crosshairs of the Heat bench proves there is never a shortage of players trying to rattle top-tier stars.

Edwards leads a Minnesota offensive clinic that exposed Heat weaknesses

Minnesota poured in 21 three-pointers on 42% shooting, fueled by Anthony Edwards’ 45-point explosion and nine triples. Miami’s point-of-attack defenders were repeatedly blown past or screened out, forcing scramble-heavy backcourt rotations that gave Minnesota’s guards uncontested looks throughout the entire second half.

Interior rebounding and paint protection also emerged as glaring vulnerabilities for Miami. The Timberwolves utterly dominated the glass 52–34, snatching 17 offensive rebounds that led to relentless second-chance opportunities. With Bam Adebayo frequently pulled away from the basket to hedge high pick-and-rolls, Rudy Gobert and the Minnesota frontcourt ruthlessly punished Miami’s lack of secondary length in the post.

To make matters worse, the loss exposed a troubling lack of floor spacing and transition defense beyond Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 35-point Miami debut. The Heat sputtered from deep, hitting just 8-of-33 (24.2%) from three-point range, which allowed Minnesota to pack the paint and completely wall off driving lanes.

Key takeaways

• Anthony Edwards called out a Miami Heat bench player for talking trash.
• Minnesota hit 21 three-pointers while Anthony Edwards exploded for 45 points.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points in his Miami Heat debut.

“When you all see the Timberwolves come to town, you all need to know they’re on bs,” Edwards said during an appearance with his teammates on Full Court Pass. “You got the light-skin [LaMelo Ball], you got the brown-skin [Jaden McDaniels], and you got the black n*** [Anthony Edwards].”

Edwards and the Wolves took the NBA by storm last season, making a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals and ushering in a new era of talent led by the star guard.

While Minnesota enters the season with a championship-caliber core built around Edwards, the rest of the NBA landscape remains just as compelling, highlighted by LeBron James taking the reins of a young, talented Philadelphia 76ers team eager to learn under his leadership.

Wolves’ roster outlook for the upcoming NBA season

Led by Edwards, the Timberwolves enter the 2026-27 season with their eyes set on an NBA championship. To bolster their title push, Minnesota’s front office revamped the roster with key outside acquisitions. Here is a breakdown of the team’s top additions heading into the new campaign:

• LaMelo Ball (PG): Acquired from the Charlotte Hornets in a blockbuster four-team trade, Ball gives Minnesota an elite floor general to pair alongside Edwards in a dynamic backcourt.
• Jonathan Kuminga (PF): Signed to bring explosive athleticism and versatile frontcourt scoring off the bench.
• Cody Williams (SF): Acquired via trade from the Utah Jazz (alongside veteran guard John Konchar) in exchange for Josh Green, adding youth and wing depth.

Taking stock of Minnesota’s preseason performance

Edwards delivered strong scoring displays throughout October, headlined by a 26-point outing against the New York Knicks and a 20-point performance against Detroit. Meanwhile, his new backcourt partner, LaMelo Ball, prioritized floor general duties, orchestrating the offense while building chemistry with his new teammates.

Off the bench, Jonathan Kuminga provided efficient interior scoring alongside center Rudy Gobert. With their preseason tune-ups complete, the Timberwolves are now turning their attention toward their regular-season opener against the Miami Heat.

Key takeaways

• Anthony Edwards issued a bold warning to the rest of the NBA.
• Minnesota’s front office revamped its roster by acquiring LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga.
• Edwards produced strong preseason scoring displays, including 26 points against New York.

All indications point to Jalen Brunson being available and expected to play, especially with no injury reports or setback concerns. However, he will likely be on a minute restriction, as head coach Mike Brown indicated before the first preseason match.

On Edwards’ side, he is also expected to play today. However, his status remains questionable for rest as he continues building chemistry in an exciting new backcourt duo with LaMelo Ball, which guarantees a showtime performance.

Sensations ahead of Knicks vs Timberwolves

The Knicks enter the game at 0-2 in the preseason after dropping their first two, while the Timberwolves are 2-1. They will meet at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on Monday, Oct. 12th. It is still preseason, but this is a chance for New York to work through some important questions before the pressure of the regular season kicks in.

With an NBA championship to defend, the Knicks have lots to work on. This game could offer a useful look at where things stand, especially concerning roster spots. Not only that, but the futures of important players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are up in the air, which the front office has to figure out eventually.

Of course, it is just the preseason. Situations change all the time. What is most important about preseason is what these players look like on the court, and that is what we get to find out.

Minnesota could be one of the most exciting and dangerous teams in the league. The furry bunch has shed Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but added LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. The Knicks will be challenged to play at a faster pace, with Ball and Anthony Edwards playing full-tilt and Kuminga adding vertical spacing.

Key takeaways

• Jalen Brunson is expected to play for New York under a minute restriction.
• Anthony Edwards is expected to play for Minnesota alongside new teammate LaMelo Ball.
• Madison Square Garden hosts the Knicks (0-2) and Timberwolves (2-1) on Oct. 12th.

Both Edwards and Antetokounmpo are expected to suit up for Minnesota and Miami, respectively. The exhibition should also offer critical rotational minutes for several young players eager to prove they belong in an NBA rotation.

While Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy recently addressed why his front office opted out of the offseason Giannis sweepstakes, the “Greek Freak” has remained focused on preparing for his Heat debut against the Timberwolves.

With Edwards entering the year primed to solidify his standing as the unquestioned face of the franchise, Minnesota enters the 2026-27 campaign looking to build on last year’s deep postseason run.

Predicted lineups for Heat and Timberwolves

With Edwards and Antetokounmpo anchoring their respective starting units, all eyes will be on how the supporting casts mesh early in preseason action. Here are the projected starting lineups for tonight’s matchup:

Minnesota Timberwolves

• SG Anthony Edwards
• SF Jonathan Kuminga
• PG LaMelo Ball
• PF Jaden McDaniels
• C Rudy Gobert

Miami Heat

• SG Klay Thompson
• SF Andrew Wiggins
• PG Davion Mitchell
• PF Giannis Antetokounmpo
• C Bam Adebayo

With a regular-season opening rematch set for Oct. 21, tonight’s tune-up provides an essential early look at where both rosters stand ahead of the games that count.

Key takeaways

• Miami and Minnesota play their 2026 NBA preseason opener today, Oct. 10.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Edwards are expected to play in today’s exhibition.
• Both teams feature in an Oct. 21 opening night regular-season rematch.

Edwards will play a crucial role in enabling the franchise to succeed by balancing stardom and creating space for his teammates to shine—a commitment he has already demonstrated this summer.

Edwards has showcased his leadership through several key actions:

• Letting LaMelo Ball stay at his house immediately after the trade.
• Organizing and financing a team trip to France to get practice reps in with Rudy Gobert.
• Recruiting Jonathan Kuminga with a focus on defense.

Edwards excited to play with rebuilt roster

Edwards is reportedly “very pleased” with the moves made by the Timberwolves this offseason, an effort in which he had heavy involvement. Pivoting to a high-octane, guard-centric system, the team overhauled its roster around Edwards by flipping Julius Randle and Naz Reid for LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga.

The front office also bolstered the second unit by retaining Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland, locking down Jaylen Clark with an extension, and bringing in Trey Lyles.

“[Edwards] is very pleased with the Wolves offseason,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst told the “Hoop Collective” podcast. “Getting LaMelo, making this deal happen for Kuminga. If [Edwards’] extension was now, maybe he would be excited about this enough to sign it, maybe he thinks that LaMelo is going to be a perfect fit.”

Timberwolves chase Western Conference title

After back-to-back appearances in the NBA Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves fell to the San Antonio Spurs in this year’s second round. However, the squad hopes injuries will not be a concern this coming season.

Injuries significantly impacted the playoff run, with Edwards playing through a bone bruise in his left knee, Donte DiVincenzo missing the entire series, and Ayo Dosunmu sidelined by a calf injury.

The Los Angeles Lakers failed to secure Kuminga despite long being considered the heavy favorites, as Edwards stepped up to finalize the pitch. Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, revealed to The Athletic how Edwards helped convince his client to choose Minnesota.

“Ant was super active in the recruitment of him,” Turner said. “One thing he did was focus his message on, we’re gonna really guard here. Everybody looked at the offensive end. JK and I looked more at the defensive end.”

Kuminga’s agreement with the Timberwolves

The Timberwolves were initially offering Kuminga just the $3.6 million veteran minimum salary, which was too low for even Edwards to make progress. However, the Timberwolves recently brought in a new controlling owner in Marc Stad. Stad instructed president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to do whatever it took to reach the $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

What Kuminga and Edwards bring to the floor

Edwards had already reached out to Kuminga, speaking with him about how the Timberwolves struggled to contain him when facing the Golden State Warriors in the 2025 playoffs. The 23-year-old notably averaged 26.3 points over the final three games of that series, offering a preview of what he can deliver.

Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, split between the Warriors and Hawks during the 2025-26 NBA season. Atlanta declined his $24.3 million team option for the 2026-27 season, allowing him to enter free agency.

Importantly, the deal with the Timberwolves includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. If Kuminga excels, he could test the market again in 2027 when his value is at its peak.

As for Edwards, his value has remained elite and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. The four-time All-Star averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game in the 2025-26 season. Edwards stands as one of the premier players in the world, though an NBA championship has eluded him. Now, teamed up with Kuminga, he will aim to capture his first ring.

In a recent chat with the media, the young guard offered a rare glimpse into his mindset while answering rapid-fire questions about the game. Asked about a potential nickname for the new backcourt, Edwards selected a reference from the iconic Pixar movie The Incredibles.

“It would never be Ant-Man and Wasp,” said Edwards. “He’s too good for that. It would be more like… what’s that dude’s name from The Incredibles? Mr. Incredible, that’s Melo. And I’m Frozone.”

Edwards aims to overcome Wembanyama

With Ball on board, the squad shapes up as a championship contender, but faces tough competition in the Western Conference—most notably the reigning conference champions, the San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama.

Edwards discussed Wembanyama and explained why their matchups bring out his best, noting that Wembanyama’s height presents a serious challenge. “As of right now, probably Wemby,” Edwards added. “I mean, he’s 7’5”, so I just gotta find ways to get around him. You know, I got to try and outthink him because he’s so much taller than me.”

Edwards did not select Wembanyama at random. The two clashed during the 2026 Western Conference Semifinals, where Wembanyama and the Spurs dominated the series, eliminating Minnesota in six games. The defeat marked the biggest challenge Edwards has faced so far, driving his determination to set things right in the 2026-27 NBA season.

The Edwards-Ball backcourt dynamic

While many fans favored the nickname “Ant-Man and Wasp,” Edwards believed it did not do justice to Ball‘s superstar status given his career averages of 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game on 40.7% shooting from the field.

For Edwards, Ball stands as an equal star, making two full-fledged heroes like Mr. Incredible and Frozone the ideal match. Edwards even dressed as Mr. Incredible for Halloween, making the comparison even more fitting.

Following the Timberwolves’ second-round loss to the Spurs this year, Anthony Edwards admitted the two teams were budding rivals. Still, when looking back on the series, he made sure to give them credit for a job well done, making it clear that a rivalry exists.

“Hell yeah, hell yeah, hell yeah, it’s a rivalry,” said Edwards. “I tip my hat to them young n****s, they came out to ball. Them boys balled. I have nothing bad to say about the Spurs; they balled. Like one thing about me, when you beat me, I ain’t no hating that, I ain’t got that in my blood. But we’ll be back.”

NBA rivalries may not be what they used to be, but animosity still exists between some teams and players. Today, some of the most recognized rivalries include Spurs vs. Thunder, Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, and Lakers vs. Warriors. Now, we can add the Timberwolves vs Spurs to the list, and it could produce content for many years.

How the series went between both teams

At this stage in the timeline, it’s impossible to say which team will get the upper hand between these teams, but we just saw a glimpse of what their future showdowns could look like. This year, Edwards led the Timberwolves to an impressive win in the first round against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

They were underdogs in the series but still managed to pull off the upset thanks to strong leadership and balanced contributions across the roster. Coming off two straight runs to the NBA Conference Finals (2024 and 2025), the Wolves had their eyes set on making it a third, but the Spurs got in the way.

Other than Games 1 and 4, the Spurs controlled much of the series, limiting the effectiveness of key players like Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. For his part, Edwards tried his best to carry his team to victory with averages of 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across the 6-game Western Conference Semifinals.

In the end, the Timberwolves didn’t have enough firepower to topple the Spurs, and Victor Wembanyama was a huge part of that. His ascent is shifting the NBA’s balance of power, and Edwards found himself cheering when he got ejected in Game 4 of the series. Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that Victor’s team is currently still alive in the NBA playoff fight, while Edwards is watching from home.

Speaking during a broadcast on Prime Video, the Dallas Mavericks legend expressed his clear distaste for the display of overconfidence and early surrender. “I’ve watched the NBA and been a part of it for a long, long time, and I’ve never seen this. A guy walking into the huddle with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter and dapping up the entire team?“ Nowitzki questioned.

The Hall of Famer felt that the gesture was disrespectful to the competitive nature of the postseason and the intensity expected during the conference semifinals. “Dapping up the entire team? Too much for me,” Dirk added, highlighting that while respect is important, giving up on a game while fans are still in their seats feels out of place in professional basketball.

Haslem joins the criticism

Udonis Haslem was another veteran voice who didn’t hold back when discussing the optics of Edwards‘ interaction with the Spurs’ bench while the game was still technically active. “As a leader, I would not have walked down there and shook their hands… with 8 mins left,” Haslem remarked, emphasizing that a franchise player should maintain a competitive fire until the final buzzer sounds.

Despite this controversial moment, Edwards has put up spectacular numbers throughout the 2025-26 season, solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier scoring threats. He entered the postseason with high expectations, but his performance against the Spurs during the conference semifinals was a rollercoaster of good individual plays and frustrating team-wide inconsistencies.

Ultimately, while Edwards’ talent is top notch, his actions during the blowout loss have sparked a wider debate about leadership and maturity in the modern NBA. Navigating a playoff series against a disciplined San Antonio team requires focus for all 48 minutes.

When asked about the possibility of Wembanyama being sidelined, Edwards admitted he might actually prefer seeing the big man on the court. “Honestly, I think it was kind of harder [without him]. Of course, they’re a really great team with him on the floor, but they play a lot slower when he’s out there because everything revolves around him,” Edwards told reporters.

It is a bold perspective considering Wembanyama is the league’s premier rim protector, averaging a staggering 4.4 blocks per game this postseason. However, “Ant-Man” may have a point; the Spurs’ offensive identity is so tethered to Wembanyama’s gravity that their pace noticeably shifts when he anchors the unit.

These comments follow Edwards’ earlier remarks prior to Game 4, where he emphasized his focus on cracking the code of the Spurs’ defensive scheme and finding a definitive way to neutralize Wembanyama for the remainder of the series.

Spurs clear Wembanyama for pivotal Game 5

Despite the uncertainty following his late-game exit in Game 4, a report has confirmed that Wembanyama will be available for Game 5. The star center was ejected in the previous contest following an altercation with Timberwolves‘ forward Naz Reid, sparking league-wide debate over a potential suspension that never materialized.

As both squads gear up for a pivotal tilt, Wembanyama continues to demonstrate a championship-level urgency. Now in his third NBA season, the young cornerstone appears singular in his focus: delivering a title to the San Antonio faithful.

Projected lineups for Game 5

With both Edwards and Wembanyama expected to lead their respective squads onto the floor, the supporting casts will be under the microscope. Both head coaches are facing a chess match as they look to adjust their rotations and find the tactical edge in a series that has become a defensive grind.

Here are the projected starting lineups for tonight’s Game 5:

• Spurs:
  • PG De’Aaron Fox
  • SG Dylan Harper
  • SF Stephon Castle
  • PF Keldon Johnson
  • C Victor Wembanyama

• Timberwolves:
  • PG Mike Conley
  • SG Anthony Edwards
  • SF Jaden McDaniels
  • PF Julius Randle
  • C Rudy Gobert