The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that forward Jaden McDaniels is sidelined week-to-week with left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise. McDaniels left a recent win over the Houston Rockets in the fourth quarter. The team aims to have him ready for the playoffs without surgery.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels exited their 110-108 overtime victory against the Houston Rockets last Wednesday and will miss time due to left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise, the team said Monday. No surgery is required, and the club hopes to return him for the postseason, according to The Athletic. McDaniels, a key versatile defender and All-Defensive Team candidate who has played at least 65 games, is averaging career highs of 16.7 points and 3.1 assists per 36 minutes while shooting 42.1% from three-point range this season. Anthony Edwards, sidelined since March 15 with his own knee issue, is listed as questionable for Monday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. With eight games left, the Timberwolves sit at 45-29, tied for fifth in the Western Conference with Houston, two games behind fourth-place Denver, three back of third-place Los Angeles Lakers, and four ahead of seventh-place Phoenix. Without McDaniels, Minnesota lost 109-87 to Detroit on Saturday, where Terrence Shannon Jr. made his first start of the season and played 25 minutes. Coach Chris Finch plans adjustments to the rotation, potentially increasing minutes for forward Kyle Anderson, who offers switchable defense and reliable offense. The schedule includes visits to Detroit and Philadelphia this week, followed by home games against Charlotte, road trips to Indiana and Orlando, a crucial matchup in Houston on April 10, and a finale against New Orleans on April 12.
