The Minnesota Timberwolves are 3–1 since Anthony Edwards was ruled out for 1–2 weeks with right knee inflammation following a March 15 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. His (hopefully brief) absence may end up being a blessing in disguise for this team.
With Edwards sidelined, opportunities have opened up across the rotation. Bench players have stepped into larger roles, and key contributors have had a chance to work through some kinks with the playoffs just a month away.
Bones Is Ballin’
Bones Hyland has been the biggest beneficiary of Edwards’ absence.
In the four games Ant has missed, Bones is averaging 20 points per game on 53% shooting from the field and 45% from three. With him on the floor, the Timberwolves have outscored opponents by 69 points over that stretch.
For the season, Hyland is averaging just 8.0 points per game on 47% shooting and 40% from deep— making this recent surge a significant leap. Not bad for a player who, a season or two ago, was fighting to stay in the league.
These additional reps could prove crucial. The Timberwolves will need all the ball-handling they can get in the playoffs, and giving Bones more time to build chemistry, learn the offense, and grow in confidence should pay dividends. At this point, he looks like a strong candidate to be the team’s eighth man, behind Naz Reid and Kyle Anderson— something few would have predicted before the season.
An A for Ayo
Ayo Dosunmu has also taken full advantage. Over the last four games, he’s averaging 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on 50% shooting and 47% from three. The Wolves have outscored opponents by 56 points with him on the floor.
His continued integration into the rotation is an encouraging development. After taking some time to settle in, Dosunmu is clearly growing more comfortable alongside his new teammates, and this stretch without Edwards has accelerated that process.
The energy and pace he brings — especially in transition — adds another dimension to the offense. That kind of play will be essential if the Wolves are going to make another deep playoff run, and these expanded minutes should only help.
Everyone Else
Kyle Anderson has quietly settled into his role. After arriving as a buyout addition, he’s provided exactly what the team needed: steady decision-making, ball movement, secondary playmaking, and reliable defense. This added responsibility without Edwards should only make him more comfortable heading into the postseason.
Jaden McDaniels, on the other hand, hasn’t quite found his rhythm. Typically, he takes on a larger scoring load when Edwards is out, but that hasn’t materialized. His shot hasn’t been falling, and he hasn’t been as aggressive as the team needs him to be.
Naz Reid has also been inconsistent as a scorer during this stretch. His offensive production often tracks closely with the team’s overall success, so getting him going before the playoffs will be important.
Julius Randle, despite his struggles since the All-Star break, did deliver an efficient 32-point performance against the Suns in the first game without Edwards— a reminder of what he’s capable of when things click.
Ideally, this stretch allows these key contributors to iron out inconsistencies and settle into their roles before the postseason begins.
Final Push
The hope is that Edwards returns soon, with enough time to get back into rhythm before the playoffs. He’s also at risk of falling short of the 65-game threshold for awards consideration, making these final games even more important.
Barring a major shake-up, the Timberwolves are likely to land in the 4–6 range in the Western Conference, setting up a first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, or Denver Nuggets.
The final stretch of the season should be compelling, with playoff seeding still very much in flux.
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