Anthony Edwards undergoes surgery: knee injury of at least 2 months
Although the franchise hopes that the player will make a satisfactory recovery, they have not yet set a date for his return to the court. According to sources cited by Shams Charania of ESPN, the shooting guard could remain off the court for up to two months.
Anthony Edwards has already undergone surgery to address the issues he has been experiencing with his right knee. The star of the Minnesota Timberwolves underwent an arthroscopy on Thursday that the team deemed "successful" at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. While the franchise hopes that the player will complete a satisfactory recovery, it has not yet set a date for his return to the court. According to sources cited by Shams Charania of ESPN, the shooting guard could be sidelined for up to two months.
The procedure involved debridement, a minimally invasive procedure that cleans, smooths, or removes damaged cartilage, bone spurs, and loose joint fragments. The goal is to alleviate pain and improve joint mobility. The operation marks an important step in addressing discomfort that Edwards has been dealing with since last spring, which had affected his availability over the past few months.
An operation to solve the problems with his right knee
The player's situation had raised concerns since the start of the season. During the home opener on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors, Edwards was seen holding his right knee and showing signs of pain. Despite this, he played in Monday's game against Cleveland, where he was listed as questionable, and scored 47 points in a loss for the Timberwolves after overtime.
An MRI performed on Tuesday detected new damage that had not appeared in previous tests, both during preseason examinations and during the playoffs. This result ultimately led to the decision to surgically intervene for the player.
The president of basketball operations for Minnesota, Tim Connelly, explained that during the summer, Edwards' situation did not seem to require surgery. However, the subsequent progression and results from new tests changed the scenario. Before Wednesday's loss to Golden State, the executive expressed his hope that the player could return in the best possible condition.
"We are concerned about his long-term health," Connelly added. "We want to ensure that we provide him with the best possible conditions so that he can reach his best version for a long time."
The executive also described the shooting guard's mood after learning the news and explained how he addressed the locker room to convey a message to his teammates. "He's downcast, but Anthony is, by nature, a very positive and cheerful person." "He quickly reached out to all his teammates and told them: 'Guys, it's in your hands'; from there, we'll move forward."
The Timberwolves will have to share the scoring responsibility
The possible absence of up to two months represents a significant setback for Minnesota, which temporarily loses its main offensive reference. Edwards, 25, had already seen his playing time reduced during the previous season, in which he played 61 games, the lowest number of his career.
His impact at the start of the new season has been particularly highlighted. The 133 points accumulated in the first four games constitute a franchise record, while his 47-point performance against Cleveland confirmed that he could still be a decisive factor even with physical discomfort.
| Fact | Anthony Edwards |
|---|---|
| Age | 25 years |
| Procedure | Right knee arthroscopy |
| Procedure Type | Debridement |
| Expected time out | Up to 2 months |
| Points in the first 4 games | 133 |
| High-scoring game in this start | 47 points |
| Games played last season | 61 |
Coach Chris Finch acknowledged that the news about the surgery was unexpected for the team. "A sort of surprise for everyone," he explained before the game against Golden State. Despite the blow of losing their star, the coach believes that Minnesota has enough depth and experience to cope during this period without Edwards.
The primary task will be to find a collective solution to compensate for his offensive production. "We will have to cover that scoring void collectively," Finch noted. "Certainly, distributing the shots more among the whole team is something everyone likes. However, the shots have to go in to make up for the difference in points."
For now, the Timberwolves will have to organize themselves without a specific date for the return of their most important player. The official statement points to a full recovery, but the possibility of Edwards being sidelined for up to two months, as reported by ESPN, forces the team to prepare for a prolonged absence. Minnesota's priority is to recover the shooting guard in good condition and prevent the issues with his right knee from affecting his career further.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Anthony Edwards pasa por quirófano: lesión de rodilla de al menos 2 meses
