Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards is scheduled to undergo an arthroscopic procedure to address ongoing issues with his right knee and will miss several weeks of action. The news emerged on Tuesday from a person with knowledge of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity prior to any public announcements from the franchise.
Anthony Edwards Injury and Planned Surgery
For some time, periodic knee pain has dogged the star player, and he had recently been appearing on injury reports due to the right knee problem. Ahead of a Wednesday matchup against Golden State, the team initially listed him as questionable before the decision was reached to move forward with the operation. A more precise timetable for his return will become available following the surgical procedure.
During recent contests, subtle signs indicated that something was amiss. In a Sunday victory against Toronto, Edwards executed a two-handed transition dunk late in the first half before heading gingerly toward the defensive end. He subsequently spent an offensive possession standing in the right corner while squeezing his knee for several seconds.
Record-Breaking Start to the Season
The medical setback comes right after a scorching start for the four-time All-Star. Through his first four games, he amassed 133 points, shattering his own previous franchise record of 120 points set two seasons ago. Key highlights from this early stretch include:
- Scoring 45 points in a season-opening victory at Miami.
- Dropping 47 points during a loss to Cleveland.
- Averaging 33.3 points overall while leading Minnesota to three wins in four games.
A potential two-month absence would force him to miss roughly 25 games. This timeline would keep him sidelined until around Christmas—when Minnesota faces an Oklahoma City squad also dealing with major injuries to players like Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace—and would once again leave him short of the NBA’s 65-game threshold required for end-of-season awards like MVP and the All-NBA team.
Career Background and Impact
Having missed only 19 out of a possible 400 games across his first five NBA seasons, Edwards faced significant time out for the first time last year, playing in 61 games mostly due to knee-related troubles. The two-time All-NBA selection and 2024 US Olympic gold medalist boasts a career average of 24.6 points. Since entering the league as the number one overall pick in the 2020 draft, only Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have scored more total points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Anthony Edwards having surgery?
Anthony Edwards needs an arthroscopic procedure to alleviate persistent issues and periodic pain with his right knee.
How many games will Anthony Edwards miss?
An exact timetable will be determined after the surgery, but a potential two-month absence would sideline him for around 25 games.
What records has Anthony Edwards broken this season?
He scored 133 points through his first four games, breaking the previous Timberwolves record of 120 points that he had set two seasons ago.