The Timberwolves look promising early in 2026‑27, thanks to LaMelo Ball’s playmaking and Anthony Edwards’ 33.3‑point average, but looming injuries and a waning Rudy Gobert threaten their 2027 title hopes. Edwards will miss up to two months after knee surgery, and the team’s shift to a faster style after trading Naz Reid and Julius Randle places too much pressure on the 34‑year‑old Gobert. Though Minnesota ranks second in defensive rating (102.5), Gobert is a scoring liability, averaging just 6.6 points on 37% shooting and even attempting ill‑timed threes. These flaws could derail Minnesota’s championship run.
After a 0-for-13 slump and a 119-114 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch publicly criticized center Rudy Gobert’s lack of finishing power. Gobert, who managed just one point, four rebounds and a steal, admitted he needs to be more decisive and dunk more often, especially with All‑Star forward Anthony Edwards sidelined for two months. Averaging 6.6 points and 12.2 rebounds over six games, Gobert faces pressure to boost the offense as the Wolves aim to rebound against the Spurs on Saturday.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch publicly critiques Rudy Gobert’s recent shooting slump, noting the veteran’s “finesse” shots and lack of extension after going 0‑13 over the past two games. Gobert, who historically posts a 66% career field‑goal rate (second‑all‑time), acknowledges the criticism and vows to finish stronger around the rim, especially with Anthony Edwards sidelined after knee surgery. Finch and fans alike urge Gobert to dunk more and play with greater decisiveness, hoping his efficiency will rebound as the season progresses.
The Minnesota Timberwolves' inability to get to the line is a sneaky concern without Anthony Edwards. Thankfully, Terrence Shannon Jr. excels at drawing fouls.
With Anthony Edwards out, the Minnesota Timberwolves need as much offense as they can get, and Rudy Gobert is not helping that cause.
The third episode of Adidas' sketch-comedy web series Minnatlantasota featuring Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards dropped on Thursday.
The Toronto Raptors lose Kawhi Leonard for several weeks after a knee swelling, leaving a sizable hole in the lineup early in the 2026‑27 season. Third‑year guard Ja’Kobe Walter emerges as the most viable option to fill the void, having scored a career‑high 22 points on 7‑of‑12 shooting (including five threes) in the 117‑94 loss to Minnesota on Oct. 25. Walter’s perimeter shooting, defensive instincts and ability to play off primary ball‑handlers give him a chance to earn more minutes, but consistency remains the key question. With Leonard sidelined, the coaching staff will test Walter’s decision‑making and transition play, offering a crucial stretch for the young guard to prove his ceiling and secure a larger role in Toronto’s rotation.
Rudy Gobert isn't worried about an interaction with LaMelo Ball that turned some heads during Wednesday's loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Anthony Edwards undergoes successful arthroscopic debridement on his right knee, but Minnesota Timberwolves give no return timeline. Initial reports warned of a two‑month layoff, while The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski suggests he could miss the rest of the season, possibly until January. Edwards, who averaged 33.3 points in the first four games and scored 47 against Cleveland despite limping, leaves a big hole in the offense. LaMelo Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr. and rookie Isaiah Evans must step up while Edwards recovers.
With Anthony Edwards sidelined for the next two months or so, Bones Hyland's microwave scoring abilities will help the Timberwolves immensely.
Anthony Edwards' recent injury could have a big impact on his future with the Timberwolves
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, sidelining him for up to two months and likely keeping him out until December. The move follows a brutal opening week that has already sidelined stars like Jalen Williams, Paolo Banchero, and Kawhi Leonard. Edwards, who entered the season averaging 33.3 points and posted a 47‑point overtime effort against Cleveland, has been battling knee soreness and a lingering limp. His absence opens chances for LaMelo Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Isaiah Evans to see more minutes.
Now 34, Rudy Gobert is having little scoring impact in the first five games of the season. Given his age, the Minnesota Timberwolves might be declining.
In Minnesota’s 119-114 loss to the Warriors on Oct. 29, 2026, former Warrior Jonathan Kuminga sparks a heated bench argument with his ex‑team while rookie LaMelo Ball shouts at Rudy Gobert, who endures a silent, frustrating night. Kuminga, scoring a career‑high 20 points, explains he was talking to a former development coach, not trash‑talking. Gobert, limited to 0‑for‑4 shooting, finishes with only one point as the Warriors, led by Stephen Curry’s 44, out‑rebound Minnesota 53‑42. The incident follows Gobert’s 0‑for‑9 outing against Cleveland, highlighting mounting tension as the Timberwolves seek stability after key injuries.
A wave of early‑season injuries is reshaping the NBA landscape and could benefit the Philadelphia 76ers. While teams like the Thunder, Raptors, Timberwolves, Jazz and Magic grapple with key players out for weeks or months, the Sixers have all five starters healthy and just secured a 114‑109 win over an injury‑hit Pacers squad. The Sixers’ schedule lets them dodge many of these absentees, potentially easing their Eastern Conference race and reducing the load on Joel Embiid and LeBron James. Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey is thriving—averaging 28.4 points, 4.6 assists and earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week—positioning him for All‑NBA honors and a lucrative contract extension. The article explores how the injury surge may both open doors and create new challenges for Philadelphia.
The Raptors, as a whole, bounced back well from their blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They beat the short-handed Orlando Magic 129-99. RJ Barrett co
As Día de Muertos looms, the NBA’s injury report reads like a Halloween nightmare—roughly 15% of players (79 athletes) are sidelined early in the season. High-profile setbacks include Jalen Williams (OKC, fractured fibula), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves, knee surgery), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Utah, MCL tear) and Kawhi Leonard (Toronto, knee swelling). Yet the New York Knicks stand out, fielding a fully healthy starting five for the fourth straight season. Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl‑Anthony Towns have logged 940 combined minutes in 2024‑25 and remain injury‑free through the first four games, a rarity in a league plagued by ailments. The contrast highlights the Knicks’ durability amid a league‑wide health crisis.
After a strong start to the season, the Minnesota Timberwolves' vibes are now awful with Anthony Edwards injured and Rudy Gobert struggling.
The post uses Martin Luther’s 95 Theses as a tongue‑in‑cheek framework to lament Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards’ partial ACL tear, which lands him on injured reserve for two months. The author compares the fan’s heartbreak to religious devotion, arguing that hopes of team chemistry or contract extensions are delusional, and contrasts Edwards’ injury with other high‑profile sports traumas. The piece blends satire, basketball analysis, and philosophical musings, ending with a plea for resilience from fellow fans and a nod to Terrence Shannon Jr.’s confidence.
Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly provided an update on star Anthony Edwards but refrained from putting a possible timeline on his return.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are buzzing about Evan Mobley’s emerging three‑point game. After opening the 2026‑27 season 12‑for‑18 from deep (66%), he hit five‑of‑six threes versus Washington and four‑of‑five in a 127‑125 overtime win over Minnesota, even with defenses like Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis sagging off him. Coach Kenny Atkinson and teammates note a new confidence and quicker release, while stressing the need to balance perimeter shooting with his traditional paint dominance. If Mobley can sustain this hot start, his shooting could reshape the Cavs’ spacing and fuel a major offensive leap.
Anthony Edwards’ right‑knee arthroscopy will sideline him for two months, knocking him out of the NBA’s 65‑game award threshold. Shams Charania explains that missing the award window strips Edwards of eligibility for a potential 4‑year, $304 million super‑max deal, limiting his offseason extension to about $189 million—a $115 million loss. The injury also forces him out of Minnesota’s Christmas Day game against the Thunder and contributed to a recent 119‑114 loss to the Warriors. The timing raises big financial stakes for the Timberwolves star.
Jonathan Kuminga’s tense exchange with Golden State’s bench during the Timberwolves’ 119‑114 loss sparks talk of a strained past with the Warriors. Kuminga later clarifies he was speaking with a former development coach and longtime mentor, not confronting teammates. Both Steve Kerr and ex‑Warrior Brandon Podziemski praise Kuminga’s growth in Minnesota, noting his fit with coach Chris Finch and the team’s backcourt. The incident underscores lingering ties but also highlights his fresh start.
Amid Rudy Gobert's offensive struggles, his teammates are starting to get frustrated with him, and this frustration is beyond valid.
After the Warriors' 119-114 victory over a Timberwolves squad missing Anthony Edwards, Stephen Curry addressed Edwards' recent arthroscopic knee surgery that could sideline him for up to two months. Curry said he texted the young star—his Olympic teammate—and urged him to treat rehab like game preparation, staying disciplined and positive. He expressed confidence Edwards will return quickly and perform at his pre‑injury level, where he was averaging 33.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and shooting 48% overall in the first four games of the 2026‑27 season. Curry emphasized the importance of health for all players.