The news that Anthony Edwards would require knee surgery was a major blow to the Timberwolveswho had gotten off to a hot start in the LaMelo Ball/Edwards era. Team president Tim Connelly confirmed on Wednesday that the procedure is not meniscus-related but instead considered an arthroscopic “clean-up,” Jon Krawczynski writes for The Athletic.
Edwards has been dealing with knee issues since last year’s postseason, and both he and the team decided that rest was the best approach this offseason. But following the season opener against Miami, in which he scored 45 points, Edwards once again felt discomfort in his knee, and Connelly suggested that the recent MRI results prompted the team to act sooner rather than later.
“The imaging from yesterday showed an issue that we want to get addressed quickly,” Connelly said, per Krawczynski. “Our only concern is for his long-term health. … The best thing about what he’s going to go under, he’s going to be good as new. It’s not something that we’re concerned with long-term.”
While no recovery timeline has been announced yet, Edwards is reportedly expected to miss at least two months following the surgery.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Jrue Holiday is coming off the bench for the Trail Blazers behind the starting backcourt of Ja Morant and Damian Lillardbut he’s still playing a crucial role for a team with playoff aspirations, Mark Medina writes for Fadeaway World. “I feel like I’m a complete player. So I can adjust to anything,” Holiday said. “But we have a great group of guys and great group of coaches. They have made the roles very, very clear in what they want out of us. I feel like that plays to my strengths with the roles that they have for me. So it’s been great.” The 3-0 Blazers have gotten off to a hot start and their depth has been a big part of their early-season success.
- Holiday isn’t the only veteran adjusting to a new reserve role. DeMar DeRozan is coming off the bench for the first time in his career in his first year with the Nuggetsand on Monday, he had his best showing of the young season, scoring 21 points on 15 shots. He’s still feeling things out, Vinny Benedetto writes for the Denver Gazettebut he’s starting to get the hang of the new role. “I’m just trying to catch on as fast as I can and understand everything, understand how I can help, especially coming into the game, reading the flow of the game,” DeRozan said. “I’m just trying to make an impact on the game… Those guys create so much attention. They make it easier on me. I try to do the same thing when I have the ball. Anything they do makes my job easier and vice versa. Whenever I’m in the game with those guys, I’m just trying to make everything on the floor as simple as possible. It’s going to continue to get better.“
- Another player emerging as a key reserve for the Nuggets is rookie forward Trevon Brazile, Benedetto writes. He’s still figuring out the ins and outs of the Nuggets’ system but has quickly shown that his athleticism translates to both sides of the floor. Brazile has brought an energy on the glass and has been the sort of cutter Denver needs, according to Chris Dempsey of Demps And Circumstancewho suggests the second-round pick has at times looked like former Nuggets standout Marcus Camby. With Cameron Johnson out Wednesday, Brazile started at small forward, showcasing the sort of versatility he brings to the team’s bench.