A procedure and a timeline
Anthony Edwards requires an arthroscopic procedure to address problems in his right knee and is expected to sit out several weeks, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke Tuesday. That person talked to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Timberwolves had not yet announced anything publicly about the guard's plan to go ahead with the operation.[S1]
The team had been carrying Edwards on injury reports because of the right knee, without clarity on the nature of the trouble. Minnesota had him listed as questionable for Wednesday's matchup with Golden State before the choice was apparently made to proceed with surgery.[S1]
Outlets across the country reported the same development, with headlines stating that the Timberwolves guard needs a procedure on his right knee and will be sidelined for several weeks.[S2][S3][S4]
Other reports framed the absence as longer, describing a procedure on the ailing knee and an expectation that Edwards could be out roughly two months or more.[S5][S6][S7][S8]
A fast start cut short
Edwards had opened the campaign in exceptional form, posting 33.3 points per game and helping Minnesota win three of its first four contests. He poured in 45 points in the season-opening victory at Miami, then scored 47 in Monday night's loss to Cleveland.[S1]
A two-month absence would stretch essentially to Minnesota's Christmas Day meeting with Oklahoma City. It would also cost Edwards roughly 25 games, which would leave him short of the NBA's 65-game threshold required for end-of-season awards such as the All-NBA team and MVP.[S1]
Durability has been a concern before: Edwards appeared in only 61 games last season, with knee-related problems accounting for most of the missed time.[S1]
