Timberwolves Injury Report: Anthony Edwards and Co Suffer Major Gut-Punch Ahead of Nets Clash

The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Milwaukee Bucks last night. Anthony Edwards and Co. lost to the Bucks 112-107, starting the second half of their season in disappointment. Despite last night’s loss, the Timberwolves are still the Number 1 team in the West and looking to improve their record. They will face the Brooklyn Nets tonight on a back-to-back.

However, the Timberwolves received a concerning update ahead of the game that could ruin their chances of coming out with a win tonight. Their star center, Rudy Gobert, has been ruled out of tonight’s game due to an ankle injury. That is a massive blow for the Timberwolves.

Gobert has played great throughout the season and has been a solid rim protector for Anthony Edwards and Co. The 3-time DPOY is averaging 13.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks. Even last night against the Bucks, Gobert had a decent game despite the loss. He finished with 12 points, 19 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Apart from Gobert’s productivity on the floor, his availability has played a major role in the Timberwolves’ success. The Stifle Tower has stayed healthy for the majority of the season and missed only one game so far. Tonight’s Nets clash will be his second missed game of the season.

Although Gobert will not play tonight, it should be an easy game for the Timberwolves. They are facing a mediocre Nets team that has not played too well this season. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns have played at an All-Star level all season and could comfortably beat the Nets without Rudy Gobert.

Will Minnesota’s two big-men lineup work in the playoffs?

Although the Minnesota Timberwolves have been the best team in the West all season, the NBA World is still not completely sold on them winning the Championship. A major reason is that analysts believe the two Big Men lineup will not work for them in the post-season.

Centers Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns have started every game they have played in this season. Many believed having two Centers in the starting lineup in today’s three-pointer-dominant era would not work. However, the decision has proven highly effective for the Timberwolves in the regular season.

Read More: Anthony Edwards: Michael Jordan Comparisons “Not Wrong” Despite Humble Admission

It is still uncertain how that will pan out in the playoffs, where the defense gets tighter and opponents get more time to prepare. Anthony Edwards and Co. do not have much experience in handling playoff pressure. Apart from Rudy, no other star player has made it out of the first round in their career. It will be interesting to see how the Minnesota Timberwolves perform in the post-season.