Illness Hits Timberwolves Ahead of Key Matchup with Suns
An unexpected illness has cast a shadow over the Minnesota Timberwolves as they prepare to face the Phoenix Suns on Monday night. Both Anthony Edwards and Terrence Shannon Jr. were added to the team’s injury report, now listed as questionable for the 6:30 p.m. tip-off at Target Center in Minneapolis. The slightly earlier start time is due to the game being streamed on Peacock. Notably, neither player appeared on the injury report during Sunday’s announcement.
Impact of Missing Stars
If there were ever a game where Minnesota could afford to be without Edwards, this could be it. The Suns have already confirmed that star guards Devin Booker, sidelined due to a groin injury, and Jalen Green, dealing with a hamstring issue, will not participate. Additionally, top defender Dillon Brooks is questionable, battling Achilles soreness.
In their last outing against Houston, Phoenix fielded a starting lineup that included Collin Gillespie, Brooks, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and Mark Williams. This combination, even with Brooks leading the team with 23 points in that loss, struggled significantly, as no other player managed to score more than 13 points. Should Brooks also be unavailable, the Suns would face a daunting challenge to secure a victory against the Timberwolves, who are currently riding a five-game winning streak.
Timberwolves’ Recent Form and Historical Context
The Timberwolves have been on a roll, winning five consecutive games, while the Suns have stumbled, losing four of their last six. The health status of Edwards and Shannon remains uncertain, but with Minnesota’s next game not until Friday against the Golden State Warriors, they will have time to rest if needed.
This matchup holds early-season significance in the standings: Minnesota sits at 15-8, while Phoenix stands at 13-10. In their previous encounter this season, the Timberwolves suffered a heartbreaking defeat, blowing an eight-point lead with just 51 seconds left on the clock. Their win probability at that moment was a staggering 98.6%, yet the Suns capitalized on critical turnovers, ultimately allowing Gillespie to sink the game-winning shot with just 6.4 seconds to spare. Julius Randle’s missed three-pointer at the buzzer sealed the Wolves’ fate in that nail-biter.
As the Timberwolves gear up for this crucial game, the absence of key players could reshape the dynamics on the court, making it a must-watch for fans and analysts alike.
