Minnesota Timberwolves: Jarrett Culver to have surgery

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Thursday that forward Jarrett Culver is set to have arthroscopic surgery on his ankle on May 7th in Los Angeles.

Jarrett Culver, who initially injured his ankle in late January, first went through non-operative management, according to the team. He will be out for the remainder of the season.

Culver has appeared in 34 games this season for the Timberwolves. He is averaging five points, three rebounds, and one assist per game.

Jarrett Culver, with this surgery, is putting a cap on a Timberwolves season riddled by injuries. He has recorded five consecutive games with DNP’s – presumably because of his ankle. He was not listed on the injury report prior to any of those contests.

This does not change anything for the Timberwolves going forward – although presumably it would be tougher for Minnesota to move Culver via trade this offseason – if they were planning on doing that.

Culver has had a rocky start to his NBA career, being the 6th overall pick in 2019, touted as one of the safer, more pro-ready options at the time. While it hasn’t exactly worked out, Culver still has the ability to make something of his NBA opportunity, whether in Minnesota or elsewhere.

The Timberwolves have proven this season that they have the ability to develop their younger players. And while Culver’s lack of progress this season has been troubling, he should absolutely be given a chance when fully healthy.

Culver started the 2020-21 season on a nice run, scoring 24 points over a two-game span, showing confidence in scoring the basketball. During the Wolves’ following seven-game losing streak, however, Culver averaged eight points on 42/13/50 splits (not good, like, at all).

Again, though, players are picked in the lottery for a reason. Culver clearly has talent. It’s just a matter of whether he will find a way to use it on the court in Minnesota – and this injury certainly won’t help him do that.