The Minnesota Timberwolves (26-14) kick off their four-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks (17-22) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT. Despite the Wolves having a much more successful season, this will be a challenging matchup as Minnesota is missing some key players.
Let's dive into a full injury report and what it means for both sides.
1/13 Timberwolves injury report vs. Bucks
- Anthony Edwards (Foot) - OUT
- Rudy Gobert (Suspension) - OUT
- Terrence Shannon Jr. (Foot) - OUT
Anthony Edwards had appeared on the Timberwolves injury report with "right foot injury maintenance" during the past four games. However, each time he was listed as questionable and ultimately played. For Tuesday, though, he was ruled out in advance. Needless to say, playing without their best player will be challenging for the Wolves.
This will mark Edwards' eighth missed game of the season, so playing without him isn't entirely unfamiliar. Expect the Wolves to run most of their offense through Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels. Between those two players, the Wolves still have a solid amount of shot creation. Still, operating without their best player will be tricky.
Edwards missed three games in mid-December with a foot injury. During this stretch, Bones Hyland started in all three games, so it's fair to expect this will be the case again.
While it's not an injury, Rudy Gobert's absence will be another key factor for the Wolves. Gobert will be suspended for one game after picking up his fifth flagrant foul on Sunday. The bigger concern is that from here on out, Gobert will be suspended for two games for each flagrant foul.
Without Gobert, the Wolves have an awful 124.2 defensive rating. As such, maintaining a competent interior defense will be something to watch, especially against Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains a top-three player. Naz Reid will presumably start in Gobert's place, but also expect rookie Joan Beringer to play meaningful minutes for the first time in his career.
Terrence Shannon Jr. is set to miss his 10th straight game with a foot injury. It's unclear when the second-year wing will be able to return to the court.
1/13 Bucks injury report vs. Timberwolves
- Myles Turner (Illness) - QUESTIONABLE
- Taurean Prince (Neck) - OUT
The Bucks injury report is a bit thinner. Myles Turner's status will be crucial, especially given the Wolves' hampered interior defense. Turner has been having somewhat of a downseason, averaging 12.4 points and shooting 42.2 percent from the field. Still, having some extra frontcourt size would be helpful for the Bucks.
Former Timberwolves wing Taurean Prince has been out since November with a neck injury. The Bucks have certainly missed his outside shooting.
Overall, though, the injury report gives Milwaukee a clear advantage.