There aren't many (if any) positives to take away from the Minnesota Timberwolves' brutal 133-95 loss in Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs. And unfortunately, one of the many negatives was that Ayo Dosunmu suffered another injury.
Dosunmu had missed the past two games with a calf injury. While Ayo returned to the court for Game 2, he left the game with right heel pain.
After the game, Chris Finch wasn't asked and didn't provide an update on Ayo's health. Perhaps it was simply a minor injury that the Wolves are handling with extra caution due to his calf injury. However, if Dosunmu is forced to miss time with this heel injury, that might not be something the Wolves can afford.
Listen, I know they won Game 1 (and Game 6 in the first-round) without him, but Ayo's presence is vital against the Spurs in so many different ways. Ultimately, if his injury proves to be serious, it could derail Minnesota's upset chances.
The Timberwolves need a healthy Dosunmu to maximize their upset chances
Frankly, in the 10 minutes that Dosunmu played, he didn't look like himself -- he shot 0-for-4 from the field and didn't have his typical burst.
Without a doubt, injuries played a role in Ayo's struggles, and this should be a concern going forward for the Wolves, whether he misses time or not.
Dosunmu's downhill speed and overall shot creation have uplifted the Wolves' offense since his arrival. And against the Spurs, there's no understating the importance of this skill set.
As the Wolves battle an elite Spurs defense with Victor Wembanyama and elite perimeter stoppers, they desperately need someone who can create for himself and generate good looks at all three levels. Likewise, Ayo gives the Wolves an extra steady ball handler and decision maker to deal with the Spurs' pressure.
On the other side of the ball, Dosunmu's extra perimeter defense against the Spurs' three-headed monster of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper is crucial.
A fully healthy Ayo wouldn't have single-handedly flipped this game. However, to win this series, a healthy and impactful Dosunmu might prove to be necessary.
These playoffs have proven that the Timberwolves can never be counted out. Nevertheless, Ayo's injury could be a hurdle that proves too difficult to overcome for a Wolves team that's already playing shorthanded and battling a 62-win Spurs squad.
Undoubtedly, fans will be eagerly awaiting any further updates about Ayo's health. Even if Dosunmu is cleared to play, it's fair to wonder whether he can play up to the level Minnesota needs him to.
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