In Thursday’s preseason action, the Timberwolves lost to the Knicks in overtime. That wasn’t the only thing they lost, though, as a player left with an injury. Jaden McDaniels left the outing in the third quarter with a left ankle ailment.
An update provided on Saturday allowed Minnesota fans to breathe a sigh of relief. They now know that the injury to McDaniels does not seem to be serious, as the regular season opener is fast approaching.
Jaden McDaniels' ankle injury does not seem to be an issue
On Saturday, head coach Chris Finch spoke with some media members. When asked about McDaniels and his ankle, Finch stated there may be a little tenderness, but that the 25-year-old went through everything on Saturday.
Chris Finch with a injury update on Jaden McDaniels ankle
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) October 11, 2025
“Fine. I think it’s a little tenderness, but he went through everything today.” pic.twitter.com/Ea9EEs66Vo
With the regular season opener now just 10 short days away, the Timberwolves certainly hope to go into that game against the Trail Blazers at full strength. It doesn’t seem as if there is any fear of McDaniels potentially needing to sit out.
Whether the 6-foot-9 forward misses any of their last 3 preseason contests remains to be seen. Their next game is Monday against the Guangzhou Loong Lions of China. Perhaps McDaniels will sit that one out, even if it’s just for precautionary reasons. That is their final home preseason game as the last 2 will take place away from home on Thursday against the Bulls and on Friday against the 76ers.
Career-high scoring season in 2024-25
Entering his sixth season, McDaniels doesn’t miss too many games for the Timberwolves. As a matter of fact, there wasn't even one that he missed in 2024-25. He was just one of 11 players who appeared in all 82 games last season. McDaniels missed just 13 games total in the previous two years.
The 28th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, McDaniels averaged a career-best 12.2 points for Minnesota in 2024-25. Best known for his work on the defensive end, McDaniels made the 2023-24 All-Defensive Second Team and just missed out on repeating the feat last year. He is in the second year of the five-year, $131 million rookie scale extension that he signed just before the start of the 2023-24 season.
While he obviously isn't the first option on offense playing for a team featuring Anthony Edwards, McDaniels is arguably Minnesota's best finisher at the rim. He shot 73% at the rim last season and is at 74% for his career.