Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was initially listed as questionable for Thursday’s game at Detroit, but he has been downgraded to out, the team announced (Twitter link).
Edwards, who is dealing with right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and an illness, will now be ineligible for major postseason awards due to the 65-game rule.
The 24-year-old has been named second-team All-NBA each of the past two seasons and would have been a strong candidate for another All-NBA spot in 2025/26 after posting career-best numbers in several statistical categories. Through 59 games, the former No. 1 overall pick is averaging 29.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals on .493/.404/.797 shooting in 35.3 minutes per contest.
If Edwards plays in Minnesota’s six remaining regular season games after Thursday, he’ll have made 65 appearances in ’25/26. However, one of those appearances doesn’t count toward the 65-game minimum because he only played three minutes. As such, he won’t qualify for awards consideration.
The Timberwolves are currently 46-29, the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. While they’re virtually certain to earn a guaranteed playoff spot — they’re 4.5 games ahead of No. 7 Phoenix — what seed they end up as is still a question mark. Minnesota is only 1.5 games behind Denver (No. 4) and a half-game behind Houston (No. 5).
Trade deadline acquisition Ayo Dosunmu, who posted his second career triple-double (18 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists) in Monday’s win at Dallas, will likely receive the starting nod Thursday with Edwards sidelined.
Where’s Edwards agent crying foul and wanting the 65 game rule changed for the good of the game like Cades? Fine line between good of the game and own financial benefits.
Probably because Ant already has the qualifications to hit the super maxes. Cade does not.
Man Ik this has been talked to death by now. Including by me. But not retaining Ayo was such a stupid move , even for us… not to mention the fact that they didn’t even get anything for him. Yeah miller is nice , if he ever becomes the player Ayo is rn remains a question …
He was traded for Rob Dillingham, who is 20 years old.
What’s your plan, retain Ayo and fight for 30-35 wins again for eternity?
I think it was about the contract. You had a chance to get him on a team-friendly long-term deal in the summer. He would have accepted under $50m/4 years for sure, possibly much less. And you’d have a very good young player on a nice deal. But for some reason, the Bulls decided to let him play going into the contract year. And he very predicably played himself into a much bigger deal, which I suspect they didn’t want to pay.
Not extending Dosunmu in the summer was a big head-scratcher for me. Just like Detroit not extending Jalen Duren. That was weird, too.
One of the reasons OKC are successful is that they sign players they believe in to long-term team-friendly deals when they have the chance to. Williams and Chet rookie 25% maxes for 5 years with no player option. SGA to 5 years with no player option. He’s still on that deal and will make only $40 million next year. Ajay 4 years minimum deal. Dort signed for 5 years in 2022. Isiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins all on nice long-term deals.
Teams that are not as good with their finances can’t compete. The messaging from Detroit: “We are happy that Jalen is having such a great season for us, we want to reward our best players with good contracts” is bs.
Could’ve signed him to 25M AAV last summer, possibly even less, and he’s an All-Star now and will likely seek a rookie max.
At least the Bulls signed Giddey to a good deal. Imagine they pushed him into a qualifying offer… That was a real possibility last summer.
I keep forgetting that Ant is still as young as he is, came into the league a few years shy of being legally able to purchase alcohol lol. But I digress. For myself, I don’t like outright disqualifying guys from eligibility for awards based solely on games played. The league has their folks who decide who is worthy of an award yes? Then let them consider and judge who is worthy. If they feel someone was most valuable despite missing that 65 game rule, so be it. If they feel someone is more deserving because they produced for more games thats fine too. Judge it case by case as you’re supposed to do.
He was firmly headed for the 3rd All-NBA Team, so a shame for him, but opens up a spot for someone else.
Cunningham was headed to the 2nd team, so that makes a couple spots, let’s hope that Luka doesn’t lose out as well.