The Minnesota Timberwolves have suffered a devastating early-season setback, with superstar Anthony Edwards expected to miss up to two months after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his troublesome right knee.
The four-time All-Star requires surgery to address persistent knee problems that have bothered him since last season. While the exact nature of the injury has not been publicly disclosed, the procedure could sideline Minnesota’s franchise player until late December.
The news comes at an unfortunate time, with Edwards enjoying an extraordinary start to the 2026-27 campaign.
Through his first four games, the 25-year-old has averaged 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range, helping Minnesota establish a 3-1 record.
Edwards opened the season with a spectacular 45-point performance against the Miami Heat before delivering another offensive masterpiece on Monday night, scoring 47 points in a narrow 127-125 overtime defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Remarkably, he produced that performance despite already dealing with discomfort in his right knee. Edwards had been listed as questionable ahead of the game because of injury management but ultimately played 41 minutes.
The problems are not entirely new. Edwards battled knee issues throughout the 2025-26 campaign, appearing in a career-low 61 regular-season games. He also experienced additional problems during the playoffs, including a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee.
Despite resting for approximately two months during the offseason, the discomfort in his right knee persisted, ultimately leading to the decision to pursue surgical treatment.
For Minnesota, the timing could hardly be worse. After acquiring LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga during the offseason, the Timberwolves entered the new campaign with renewed championship ambitions and one of the Western Conference’s most intriguing rosters.
Edwards’ absence now places considerable additional responsibility on Ball, who will be expected to shoulder a greater share of the scoring and playmaking duties. Jaden McDaniels, Kuminga and the team’s supporting cast will also need to compensate for the loss of Minnesota’s most explosive offensive weapon.
The potential absence could have significant individual consequences as well. Should Edwards miss approximately two months, he could be unavailable for around 25 games, potentially preventing him from reaching the NBA’s 65-game eligibility threshold for major end-of-season awards, including MVP and All-NBA honors.
More importantly, Minnesota must now navigate a difficult stretch of its schedule without the player who has become the centerpiece of its offense and one of the league’s most electrifying superstars.
