Anthony Edwards Undergoes Right Knee Procedure, Set to Miss Around 25 Games

Q: Could Anthony Edwards’ knee procedure cost him another shot at MVP and All-NBA before the season truly begins?

Yes. If Anthony Edwards misses close to the reported two months, the procedure could effectively wipe out his MVP and All-NBA chances before the race truly develops. The key issue is the NBA’s 65-game eligibility rule for major awards. A two-month absence would likely cost Edwards about 25 games. After Minnesota’s first four games, that would leave him with roughly 57 games available the rest of the season if he played every remaining one, putting him below the threshold for MVP and All-NBA consideration. That is the same rule that already made him ineligible last season, when he played 61 games. That is especially significant because Edwards looked like an early awards-level candidate. He opened the season averaging 33.3 points, with 45 points in the opener and 47 against Cleveland, while helping the Timberwolves start 3-1. On form alone, he appeared positioned to enter the MVP conversation if Minnesota stayed near the top of the West. There is still some uncertainty because “up to two months” is not a final return date. If his recovery ends up shorter than expected, he could still get back into the award pool by reaching 65 games. But the margin would be very small, and any setback, cautious load management, or additional missed time would likely end that possibility. So the surgery does not mathematically eliminate him yet, but it puts his award candidacy in serious danger almost immediately and makes another lost year in the awards race a very real possibility.

3 articles · Updated · NBA.com · Oct 28

Minnesota star Anthony Edwards is expected to miss up to two months after choosing an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, according to reports Tuesday.
The surgery is meant to alleviate a knee issue that had already put him on injury reports and left him questionable for Wednesday's game against Golden State.
33.3 points per game had fueled Edwards' hot start, including 45 points in the opener at Miami and 47 in Monday's loss to Cleveland, as Minnesota won three of its first four games.
A two-month absence would likely sideline him until about the Christmas matchup with Oklahoma City and leave him short of the NBA's 65-game minimum for awards such as MVP and All-NBA.
61 games was Edwards' total last season, when knee-related problems also limited his availability.

Sources

NBA.com2h ago

Anthony Edwards to Undergo Right Knee Procedure, Miss Two Months

CBS New York8h ago

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to undergo knee procedure, will miss up to 2 months, ESPN sources says - CBS Minnesota

Yardbarker6h ago

Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards to undergo knee procedure, miss up to two months | Yardbarker

Why did the Timberwolves choose knee surgery for Anthony Edwards now after his explosive start, and can Minnesota survive without him until Christmas?

Could Anthony Edwards’ knee procedure cost him another shot at MVP and All-NBA before the season truly begins?

Sources

3 total

NBA.com2h ago

Anthony Edwards to Undergo Right Knee Procedure, Miss Two Months

CBS New York8h ago

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to undergo knee procedure, will miss up to 2 months, ESPN sources says - CBS Minnesota

Yardbarker6h ago

Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards to undergo knee procedure, miss up to two months | Yardbarker

Anthony Edwards Undergoes Right Knee Procedure, Set to Miss Around 25 Games

Summary

Sources

Insights

Sources