The Minnesota Timberwolves faced unexpected uncertainty surrounding their star player as they prepared for Monday night's game. Anthony Edwards, who had completed his pregame warmup routine and was expected to play, was surprisingly ruled out just moments before tipoff at Target Center. This late roster change came as Minnesota geared up for the second night of a demanding back-to-back schedule.
Anthony Edwards' Injury Update Alters Timberwolves' Strategy
Anthony Edwards was officially scratched from the lineup shortly before the game began, despite having participated in warmups. ESPN reporter Anthony Slater confirmed this last-minute decision, stating, "Anthony Edwards is out tonight for the Timberwolves. Late scratch." Edwards was sidelined due to a foot issue that appeared on the injury report late in the day.
His absence significantly impacted the Timberwolves, removing their primary scoring threat and key playmaking option. Edwards had been instrumental in Minnesota's previous outing and was coming off a heavy workload during the back-to-back set. With Edwards unavailable, the coaching staff had to quickly reshape their rotation, turning to alternative ball handlers and scorers.
Adjustments in Minnesota's Lineup
Mike Conley and Bones Hyland emerged as candidates for increased minutes as the Timberwolves adapted to the sudden change. Edwards' next opportunity to return is anticipated on Wednesday when Minnesota faces the Dallas Mavericks, which marks the beginning of another back-to-back stretch in their schedule.
Stephen Curry's Injury Leaves Warriors Short-Handed
Across the floor, the Golden State Warriors also entered the game without their franchise centerpiece. Stephen Curry was ruled out with right patellofemoral inflammation after experiencing knee soreness during workouts in Minneapolis. The Warriors had initially listed Curry as questionable before officially ruling him out, along with Draymond Green, who is dealing with lower back soreness.
Curry addressed the issue following Sunday's victory, explaining the discomfort in his own words. "Something flared up [Saturday] when we came over to get a workout in," Curry said. "It was super weird. Like, I've had stuff going on -- quads and whatnot -- but it was something that I hadn't felt before, so I definitely took advantage of the day off to get right, but hopefully that continues."
Warriors' Extended Injury List
Golden State's injury concerns extended beyond Curry and Green. Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Al Horford, and De'Anthony Melton were also unavailable, leaving the Warriors without much of their usual rotation. Despite these significant absences, Golden State aimed to secure a second consecutive road win after delivering a dominant performance the night before.
Both teams faced the challenge of adjusting their strategies on short notice, highlighting the unpredictable nature of professional sports and the impact of last-minute injury updates on game plans.
