In the crowded Western Conference, even a small injury can change the seeding. The good news for the Minnesota Timberwolves is that the hamstring injury to Anthony Edwards came during a softer schedule. The next two weeks will show whether the Timberwolves have the necessary depth to compete, or their playoff dreams might crumble at the beginning of the season.
This Injury Could Change the Timberwolves’ Playoff Hopes
Ant was the leading scorer for the Timberwolves in the first two games, a road win against the Portland Trail Blazers and a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored 41 and 31 points, respectively. After leaving the game against the Indiana Pacers, Julius Randle took over and scored 31 points to lead the team to victory.
Edwards suffered the injury in the first quarter against the Pacers. He converted a tough layup, but there was no foul despite the hard contact. The Pacers called a timeout a second later, and Bones Hyland subbed in. Ant didn’t return to the game. The latest reports indicate he has a right hamstring strain and will miss the next two weeks. He will be re-evaluated in a week, but most likely, he will not return soon.
Can the Timberwolves Survive Anthony Edwards’ Injury?
Looking at the schedule, the good news for the Timberwolves is they do not have tough matchups. If Ant comes back sometime around November 10th or 11th, he can play against the Sacramento Kings or the Utah Jazz.
Here are the next nine games for the Timberwolves: home vs. the Denver Nuggets, home vs. the Lakers, on the road against the Charlotte Hornets, on the road against the Brooklyn Nets, on the road against the New York Knicks, home vs. Jazz, on the road against the Kings, on the road against the Jazz, and at home vs. the Kings.
Of those games, the one at home versus the Nuggets might be the biggest challenge. The Lakers will be without Luka Doncic and LeBron James. If they can survive the Nuggets and Knicks, all other games should be winnable.
The Grinding Western Conference
The Western Conference was extremely tough last year, and this season, things are even more challenging. For example, after three games, the San Antonio Spurs sit atop the Conference. Victor Wembanyama looks like a true MVP candidate through the first few games.
Then, we have teams like the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. This summer, the Nuggets added more depth, and they hope Nikola Jokic can lead them to the Promised Land. The Houston Rockets added Kevin Durant, and teams like the Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Golden State Warriors improved around the edges.
All in all, there are six to eight legitimate playoff contenders in the Western Conference. If the Timberwolves lose more games than they win without Edwards, they might dig a hole they will spend the entire season getting out of. They were in a similar position last season, when they made a late push to get a higher seeding.
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