The Minnesota Timberwolves are fighting to improve their fixation on their win-loss record which remains stuck at one game under .500 after 27 games of the 2022-23 NBA season. But this season has not exactly gone according to plan for many reasons, and perhaps one of the least discussed challenges is the current list of key players on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster who are injured and may be out for a significant number of games going forward.
That has not done the Timberwolves roster any favors, as the team had almost no time to synch up before the beginning of the 2022-23 NBA season. Now, with another disruption to getting this team’s starting five on the court together, the process of fitting everyone into their roles will be delayed even further.
Karl-Anthony Towns
The Minnesota Timberwolves dodged quite a bullet after the worst-case scenario to All-Star Karl-Anthony Town’s injury was not an Achilles Tendon rupture. The non-contact injury occured on November 28, 2022, against the Washington Wizards. During the game, Towns immediately grabbed his right calf muscle, fell to the basketball court, and hand to be helped to the locker room after the injury.
The post-injury MRI confirmed the injury was a calf strain and should heal with rest and not require surgery.
Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a right calf strain, sources tell ESPN. Towns underwent imaging on Tuesday and the expectation exists for a full recovery and return sometime in January.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 29, 2022
Towns will likely miss 4-6 weeks, and the team has adapted by giving Towns’ minutes to Kyle Anderson.
Estimated Return: Perhaps Friday, Jan 13, 2023, vs Phoenix Suns at Target Center
Taurean Prince
The Timberwolves roster has been hit with a double whammy with a second injury, this time to versatile forward Taurean Prince. Prince has been another tough loss to the Timberwolves roster, as he has been one of the better shooters on a team that has struggled to make perimeter shots.
Taurean Prince getting some on-court work in before tonight’s game. Good sign.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) December 11, 2022
Word from Finch has been “a week or so” for Prince to return from his right shoulder injury. pic.twitter.com/Zb0hHlzMIj
Prince has been a versatile player for the Timberwolves, as he does everything necessary well enough to be quite valuable as injuries occur. Unfortunately, his injury coincided with the loss of Towns, eliminating him from the Timberwolves’ rotation at a time when he has been desperately needed.
Estimated Return: Perhaps Sunday, December 18, 2022, vs. Chicago Bulls at Target Center
Jordan McLaughlin
However else you see it, the Timberwolves seem to perform better as a team when backup guard Jordan McLaughlin sees playing time. The Timberwolves have a 10-8 when McLaughlin plays, and a disappointing 3-6 record when he does not. I won’t try to explain it, except to suggest that he is an energetic ball handler whose assists/turnover ratio dwarfs that of any other player on the Timberwolves roster.
He is a rotational player on the Timberwolves roster, but a vital one. His ability to come in, pick up the pace, and connect with open Wolves shooters has a knack for catching opponents a bit flat-footed. After the opposing team adjusts to McLaughlin, the Timberwolves revert to the starters, and the opponent must adjust on-the-fly once more.
Chris Finch characterized Jordan McLaughlin as "day to day" with the calf injury. That's what McLaughlin was last time he was hurt with this injury and he missed 5 games.
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) December 11, 2022
McLaughlin is not a stat star. But he does seem to have the keys to whatever ignition makes the Minnesota Timberwolves roster hum.
Estimated Return: Perhaps Sunday, December 18, 2022, vs. Chicago Bulls at Target Center
Eventually, the Timberwolves roster is not projected to be at full strength until mid-January 2023, and that only holds if the team does not suffer additional injuries.