Anthony Edwards receives a devastating blow at the best moment of his career

Minnesota Timberwolves faces a significant setback after it was confirmed that Anthony Edwards will need to undergo surgery for his right knee problems. The franchise star will have arthroscopic surgery this Thursday that could keep him off the court for up to two months, according to sources reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. This news is a harsh blow for Minnesota, as they temporarily lose their main offensive reference just as he was having the best start to a season of his career.

The severity of the situation contrasts with what happened just a few hours earlier. Edwards was listed as questionable in the injury report prior to Monday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers but ultimately received clearance to play, logging 41 minutes, his highest total of the season. The shooting guard responded with 47 points, although the Timberwolves ended up losing 127-125 after overtime.

An arthroscopy that could sideline Edwards for two months

Issues with the right knee began to become evident during Minnesota's victory over the Toronto Raptors, the first home game of the season for the Timberwolves. Edwards started to touch that area, prompting the team to include him in the injury report before their next game.

At that moment, coach Chris Finch downplayed the possibility of it being a prolonged issue. Before the game against Cleveland, he explained that the situation would be evaluated "day by day" and expressed confidence that the ailment would not turn into a long-term injury.

However, after receiving the green light to play against the Cavaliers, Edwards ended up participating in one of the most demanding games of his season start. His 41 minutes and 47 points did not prevent a Minnesota loss, and it was reported afterward that he will need to have surgery on his right knee.

According to sources cited by ESPN, the arthroscopy is scheduled for this Thursday and the recovery period could last up to two months. The final length of the absence will depend on his progress after the surgery.

Edwards was having the best start of his career

The injury comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Timberwolves. Edwards had started the season at an extraordinary level, with offensive numbers that positioned him among the top scorers in the NBA.

In his first four games, the shooting guard averaged 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, with a 48% shooting accuracy. His scoring average was the second highest in the league, only behind Luka Dončić's 34.3 points per game.

Additionally, his performance against Cleveland allowed him to reach 47 points and record his second game of at least 45 points in the first four games for Minnesota. Thus, he became the fourth player in NBA history to log multiple games of 45 points or more during that early stretch of his team's season.

The absence of their main star will force Minnesota to reorganize its offense over the coming weeks. The team loses a player who was taking on significant offensive responsibility and had started the season with numbers typical of one of the league's great figures.

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Knee problems pursue Anthony Edwards again

The current injury also raises new doubts about Edwards' physical continuity, as he already faced difficulties with his knees during the previous season. The player suffered from patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly referred to as "runner's knee," in the same right leg.

That ailment caused him to miss nine of the last 22 games of the regular season. Later, during the first round of the playoffs, he suffered a hyperextension in his left knee.

In total, Edwards missed 21 games during the last season, the highest number of his career up to that point. Despite this, the Timberwolves managed to hold their ground during his absences, with a record of 12 wins and nine losses.

During the preseason, the player himself explained that he had taken advantage of the summer to rest and allow his knees to recover. Moreover, he had not experienced such discomfort during training camp, making this new setback an unexpected twist in his preparations for the season.

The absence may affect his MVP chances and his next contract

The possible absence of Edwards for two months has implications beyond sports. It could also impact his chances of receiving some of the NBA's major individual accolades and, with that, his contractual situation heading into next summer.

To be eligible for MVP awards and a selection on the All-NBA teams, players must participate in at least 65 games of the regular season, barring exceptions outlined in eligibility rules. An absence of up to two months could prevent Edwards from reaching that threshold, depending on the schedule and when he can return.

This requirement is especially significant in his case because any of those accolades would have allowed him to seek a supermax contract extension of four years and $304 million next summer, with the first year of the agreement set for the 2029-30 season.

However, those close to the player have made it clear that the priority is not individual awards or the economic consequences of the injury. Justin Holland, Edwards' representative, communicated to ESPN what the shooting guard's main objective and that of the franchise is.

"It's not about individual accolades, being part of the All-NBA teams, or anything like that," Holland stated. "The only goal is to win a championship. We have seen recently what the team is capable of, and we know great things await us when everyone is at 100%."

The message seeks to focus on Minnesota's collective project and the player's recovery. The Timberwolves will have to compete without their main star for a period that could extend up to two months, as Edwards faces a new rehabilitation aiming to return in the best possible condition.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Anthony Edwards recibe un golpe devastador en el mejor momento de su carrera